RADIUM NEEDLE DISCOVERED

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1933, Page 5

RADIUM NEEDLE DISCOVERED

HAD BEEN THROUGH INCINERATOR.

SPECIAL APPARATUS USED.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night. A radium needle valued at £2O, used in the treatment of a patient at the Auckland hospital, was recently dost but was subsequently recovered by the use of special apparatus from a cinder heap in the hospital grounds. In reporting on the matter at a meeting of the Hospital Board to-day the medical superintendent, Dr. Craven, said the needle was one of ten which had been inserted in the patient. There had been some trouble with him and the needles had been sewn in, but the patient pulled them out. At one time six needles were missing but a search located all except one.' ■ The patient’s bed and locker were searched and he was also placed under X-ray examination to see if he had swallowed the needle. Finally it was decided to call in the assistance of the physics department at the Auckland University, which possessed the necessary apparatus for tracing the missing radium. Likely spots were discussed and when the apparatus was used in proximity to a cinder heap it gave the required reaction. The cinder heap was then sifted and the needle was found. It had passed through the incinerator but had not been damaged.