RADIUM NEEDLES ORDERED FOR THE HOSPITAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 2

RADIUM NEEDLES ORDERED FOR THE HOSPITAL

WILL BE USED FOR DISEASES OF THE MOUTH.

Thirty-six special radium needles, at a total cost of £I4OO, were ordered for the Christchurch Hospital yesterday afternoon, a few hours after news was received of the Government having agreed to a £1 for £1 subsidy’ on the £7OO granted for radium equipment by the trustees of the W. 11. Travis bequest. It is hoped That the needles will arrive from Belgium within six months, “The new needles will give us an opportunity to deal with diseases of the mouth which are very’ difficult to treat with surgery,” stated Dr P. Clennel Fenwick, in charge of the Radium Department at the Christchurch Hospital. y’esterday’. “These special needles arc used in Paris for treating diseases of the tongue, and for such treatment we must have them in Christ,church. Their use is a great advance. in that they have been replacing surgery of the tongue in the last two years. We have used radium here for the tongue, but the needles must be of the special size ordered.” Dr Fenwick added that he had that morning received advice of the Government subsidy by telegram from the Deputy’-Director-General of Health (Dr Watt). The same afternoon Dr Fenwick had despatched an order for the special needles from Belgium, from which country the world obtained its only supplies of radium. England was going to spend an enormous amount of money in the purchase of radium, and it was as well for Canterbury to have its order in as early as possible to ensure prompt delivery. The £llOO available would give the hospital an opportunity to use the special needles instead of the ordinary ones, and would enlarge the scope of the work of the Department. “The radium hospital is out night and day’, and we can keep twice the quantity’ of radium busy,” added the doctor “Th citizens of Christchurch have been very’ generous in giving us a supply, but we can still use twice the quantity available.

“How long will the radium needles last?” queried the reporter, entirely off his guard. Dr Fenwick: Over two thousand years, They’Ve indestructible. They keep their full strength for 1700 years, and are at half strength after that. But that scarcely concerns me, for I don’t expect to be here then.