HOPE AND FAITH

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1931, Page 5

HOPE AND FAITH

RADIUM IN THE FUTURE

NATIONAL TRUST’S WORK

r llie first account of their stewardship which the National Radium T rust and the Radium Commission Iliave issued (says the “Times”) affords solid ground Tor belief that the gifts made by the public are being used in the best possible way. The trust has eeu 'able to buy radium at a figure which, all things considered, must bregarded as cheap. IMPORTANCE OF STAFF. It is now universally recognised that the success of a radium centre depends in large measure on its staff. Special training is essential if good results are to lie obtained and dangers, which may he very great, are to lie avoided. The commission has already recognised the need of giving teaching at a central (post-graduate institution, and has made arrangements accordingly.

The National Post-Graduate (School of .Radio-Therapy in London is designed to provide a comprehensive course of instruction and further to help in the collection and study of records and statistics.

The commission warns the public against both undue optimism and Nunduo pessimism about the value of radium in the treatment of cancel-. This warning i| fully justified. Treatment by radium is at present in its earliest stages, and, though ample evidence exists to warrant its active prosecution, that evidence is still insufficient for the drawing of conclusions. The best -that can be said, it is stated in the report, is “that some results under certain 1 conditions are very satisfactory; that others, for no clearly established reasons, are less so; and that- in a considerable proportion of cases the results are either inconclusive or definitely disappointing.” But it is properly added that, if this does not justify optimism, it certainly does not warrant loss of confidence in radium. BETTER RESULTS NOW.

A. satisfactorw feature of treatment by that element is that it has afforded better results in later than in earlier years. Experience clearly plays an important part in treatment, and experience, thanks to the existence of the National Radium Fund, is now being, enlarged every clay. It is a reasonable hope therefore that the results obtained in the past will become greater still. A verdict cannot be given vet. It is enough that those who are engaged in making use of radium are inspired by an enthusiasm which undoubtedly Inns its sources in hope and faith.