RACE TO SAVE LIFE OF AIRMAN FAILS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 February 1947, Page 2

RACE TO SAVE LIFE OF AIRMAN FAILS

Ileteived Jlondav 9.10 p.m. bYDNFY, leb. 17. A long exchnnge Iietween Australian i rnd I'nited Srates authorities in an at- j tempt to procure radioactive sodium suipluite to save the life of an Aus- 1 Iraiian airman in fsyilney hospital, has , ended with the death of the airman. The man was suirering from 1'uteoma, a j rare blood disease, and was kept alive | i'or weeks by emergeiicy treatment I while a supply of radioactive matenal j was sought. Two chemical lirms mado .lrgent requests to the United Btates A.tomic Kesearch Commission in Wash- i ngton and the New South Wales! branch of the Ked ("ross Society also i ippealed. These requests followed ad- 1 ;ise froiM CaiKida on December 31 that :lie United Slaies Coniniission was tlie I iniy likely smjrce of radioactive sodiuui j mlpliate and other isotopes. When Ked j /ross odicials tried to contact the! 'hairman of the commission, Dr. Lilli- j lntlial by radio telephone, they were! :old he would not be available for four | lavs. The Austialian Aiubassador in ; Washington, Mr. Mahia, took over the nvestigation and fcumd that tlie repired isotopes would l>e included in a! larcel to be sent to Australia -bv air. I Latest information, however, ivas tliat j :he parcel would not be loaded on the I ilane in •America before February '21. Another patient in tlie sanie hospital irgen'tlv reipiires isotopes.