RADIUM TO LEND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 988, 7 March 1910, Page 4

RADIUM TO LEND.

Reference has already been made in our columns to the establishment of a radium bank in London for the purpose of lending out this precious element to scientists, medical men and others who wish to use it, but cannot, on account of its enormous costliness, afford to purchase it, even in infinitesimal quantities. The intention of the promoters of the scheme is to "let out" radium at i the rate of £4O for one day's use of 100 milligrammes. Already there is a great demand for it especially for the medical profession. It has been found of considerable value in the cure of certain malignant diseases. The secretary of the London Hospital says: —"There can be no gainsaying that we have found the use of radium actually effective in numberless instances of rodent ulcers. For these ) we regularly use it, our supply coming direct from Mme. Curie, in Paris. I fear, however, that as yet the. much-hoped-for cure of cancer can hardly be claimed. There have undoubtedly been instances where, in early stages of the disease, a surgical operation followed by the application of radium has had encouraging results. But one must not go beyond hope. It would be cruel to pretend more. As regards the use of radium by private medical men, there is, so far as I know, no particular reason why it should not be effectual. The method is very simple, the radium being, as it were, stamped on to the place like a seal." Unfortunately the extreme scarcity of radium must restrict its use, but efforts are now be ing made to discover new sources of supply.