RADIUM BENEFITS AND DANGERS

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 90, 21 November 1911, Page 2

RADIUM BENEFITS AND DANGERS

The department of commerce at Vienna has issued a statement from which it is evident that, however great the promise of radio-activity as a cure, its application in treatment of many disorders must be attended by extreme caution. The report says : “In the temporary bathing establishment at Joachimstal, 209 cases of disease have been treated with baths and drinking water. Of these, 169 patients . were better at the end of the "cure,’ and 40 were unaffected. An improvement was shown in cases of rheumatism, uric acid poisoning, nervousness, neuralgia and old exudations of various kinds. The treatment was not effective in the case of matasmus (emaciation), new formations and diseases of the spinal column and the brain. Comparing this treatment of diseases of the first category with electricity, mud baths, massage, etc., the results may be declared very good. When the radio-activity exceeds a certain grade it paralyses and disintegrates the cells and may cause death by a continuous aggravation. The judgment of the permissible extent of the use o! radium rays cannot be definitely stated."