Radium Benefits and Dangers.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 April 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 a.s a cure, its- application in treatment of many disorders must be attended by extreme caution. Tho report says: "In the temporary bathing establishment at Jonchimstal, 209 cases of disease have been treated with baths and drinking water. Of these 100 patients were bettor at the end of the ,r cure," and 40 were unaf-

fected. An improvement, was shown in* cases of rheumatism, uric acid poisoning, nervousness, neuralgia and old exudations of various kinds. The treatment wns 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 ';he first category with electricity, mud oaths, massage, etc., the results ma.y be declared very good. When the radioactivity exceeds a certain grade ii paralyses and disintegrates the cells and may cause death by a continuous: aggravation. The judgment of the

permissible extent of tho rse of radium rays cannot be -defi'/iitelv stated."