RADON SEEDS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 105, 28 January 1935, Page 8

RADON SEEDS

Sealed Capsules For Distribution HOSPITAL SERVICE 70,000 Out-patients in Wellington . Some unusual facts about the Wellington Hospital are of special interest to all tlie people of New Zealand. There is, for example, the hospital’s national service in manufacturing radium gas in an emanation plant—the only one of its kind in the Dominion. The process is highly technical, but may be explained by simply saying that an active gas is drawn off from the radium in sealed capsules, which are known as “Radon seeds.” These, which are sent all over New Zealand, even as far south at Invercargill, possess all the essential curative properties of the parent radium. The department holds £15,000 worth of radium, some of which is used in the direct treatment of cancer. The remainder is used in the emanation plant for the production of Radon seeds. Danger of Lockjaw. People should be very careful about obtaining early and thorough treatment of cuts in order to avoid the possible danger of developing tetanus or lockjaw. Anti-toxin treatment is very costly, sometimes as much as £75 or £BO worth of serum having to beused in the treatment of a bad case, and often without avail. One of the worst cases admitted to the Wellington Hospital was that of a boy, nine years of age, who ent his knee while swimming at Petone beach. He developed tetanus and became an exceptionally severe case, but with large doses of tetanus anti-toxin he has improved and should now recover completely. X-ray photography has assumed the proportions of an industry at the Wellington Hospital. Last year, exclusive of dental X-rays, which are all taken in the dental department, 4711 persons were photographed ; of these, 2988 were in-patients, and 1723 out-patients. This necessitated the use of 5876 films, the largest size used measuring 17in. by 14in. for chest work. In addition, there were many cases given deep therapy treatment, the X-rays being used as a curative ;agent. One of the most remarkable operations, following an X-ray photograph at tlie hospital, was the removal of a dinner fork from the stomach of a woman who had swallowed the cutlery—not as a demonstration of the juggler’s art. Pathological Tests. Laboratory tests and examinations in the pathology department at the hospital last year were remarkable for number and variety of diseases. The total was 24,874, made up as follows: In-patients, 15.475; out-patients, 3382; public health, 2357; private work and other hospital boards. 3657. In addition to carrying out extensive ordinary pathological work, the department controls and staffs a vaccine station, where lymph for vaccination purposes is prepared for the whole of the Dominion, while a considerable supply is also sent to New South Wales. An extraordinary feature is the extent of the service given by the hospital to out-patients, the attendances last year totalling 70,063. The in-patients admitted for the year numbered 6949. If time and money were free of the shackles of economy, the hospital experts undoubtedly could reveal a remarkable story of the ailments of the community and the different contributory causes. It is probable that such research would show that a revival of the simple life of the pioneers would become a great remedial advantage to the community.

Further evidence that the Westport harbour is getting into a bad state again was provided when the- Canopus sailed 70 tons short because the depth of water on the bar (19 feet> precluded her from taking a full load (states the Westport “Times”). The Canopus was drawing 16 feet forward and 17 feet aft. The Mayor (Mr. .1. Kilkenny> is communicating with Mr P C Webb, M.P., at Wellington, to have the position placed before the Minister of Marine.