ATTACKING CANCER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 766, 12 September 1929, Page 11

ATTACKING CANCER

THE USE OF RADIUM « HOW IT IS ADMINISTERED j 1 “Radium is a very mysterious sub- ' stance, and its discovery has upset 1 many of the theories about matter i held by the older chemists. Radium s appears to be an element apparently slowly changing into another element,” writes Mr. E. W. Morris, Gov- * ernor of London Hospital, in a recent < journal. 1 “The radium of today was, millions f of years ago, the metal uranium; millions of years hence it will have to become common lead. Midway ' in its change it exhibits extraordinary properties, and the most extraordinary ' is that it is constantly giving off | energy, but without loss of weight. This energy or emanation—it is called •radon’—consists of various kinds of rays, and these rays are related to ' the previously known X-rays, but of shorter wave-lengths. Harmful Rays "Three kinds of rays have been discovered in the emanation of radium, and these have been called alpha,

beta and gamma rays. It is the i gamma rays which have the power i of destroying cancerous cells. “The other two, alpha and beta, I are useless, and, indeed, dangerous. ] When radium emanation is used for i attacking a cancerous growth some < means must be used to stop the alpha i and beta rays. This is done by mak- i ing use of platinum. This metal will allow the beneficent gamma rays to pass through it, as blotting-paper allows water to pass through, but : stops the harmful alpha and beta i rays. “In the radium laboratory is a chest containing two tons of lead. In the centre of this lead are four flasks < containing the precious radium dissolved. From these flasks a glass tube passes out through the lead and through a thick wall into the laboratory next door. “Here is a pump for pumping off the emanation from the radium. The emanation is collected in fine capilliary tubes, as thin as a fine steel knitting-needle or bodkin, and hollow. When this fine tube is filled with the emanation it is cut into small lengths by means of a blow-pipe. “The little bits of glass tubes are : then slipped into platinum containers. like very fine gramophone ' needles. The gamma rays will pass . through the glass and the platinum; j the other rays will not. These radon]

needles are the surgeons’ ammunition in attacking cancer. The needles—--30 or 40 or more—are pricked into the cancerous growth so that all parts come under the influence of the rays. They are removed in five days. The patient can then be discharged, hut returns once a month for examination. Danger to Workers “Near the radium laboratory is a secretarial office, and here are kept detailed notes of each case, giving the patient’s own history of his or her symptoms; the surgeon’s own notes on his examination; a diagram of the cancer; the date of the insertion of the needles; how many were inserted, and of what strength; how long they were left in before removal; an X-ray radiograph showing the needles in position after insertion: and lastly, the notes made at each monthly visit of the patient. Some of these notes are remarkable their records of apparent cures. “There is danger to the workers and all who come habitually and constantly under the influence of radium rays. That is why all radium is stored in the laboratory in great squares of lead, which cut on the I leakage of the rays. Altogether I there are seven tens of solid blocks i of lead in the laboratory for the protection of the laboratory workers.”