THE SUPPLY OF RADIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15549, 5 March 1914, Page 9

THE SUPPLY OF RADIUM.

CRYING AMERICAN NEED. [mow om OWN correspondent.] Han Francisco. February 3. The Secretary of the Interior (Mr. Franklin Lane), in his annual report to , , Congress, recommended that legislation be 'enacted empowering the President to withdraw into Government reserves all lands known to contain radium-bearing ores. Some interesting statements as to the supply and uses ot radium were made before the Committee on Mines of the House of Representatives the other day in con- " sideration of the proposal. Four doctors ,'. who appeared before the committee, raid V that radium was the only cure the medical *-.■'' world had discovered for cancer. In the ' United States there is to-day less than two grams, in reduced form, of radium, and all the doctors agreed that the crying heed in their work was more of the element. Discussing the case of a member of the House of Representatives, who is 'now under treatment for cancer, one of the ' physicians said he was cure a cure could be effected if more ladium was, available. He Mid ii" arrangement for concentrating the available supply could he made in justice to the thousands of other patients. He added that his associates were at work £ trying to discover a process fir the reduction of radium from the ores of Colorado. But one concern now furnishes radium to the medical profession, and its formula for 'eduction is held secret. The purpose of the suggested withdrawal of radium lands from public use is so that the meagre Supply may be made available for scientific and medical purposes.