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RADIUM,
RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
AND ALUMINUM *
with Experimental Research of the Same
\
BY
MYRON METZENBAUM, B. S., M. D.
CLEVELAND, O
THIRD EDITION
THE BABBITT. & CRUMMEL Co.,
CLEVELAND, O.
1905.
1. The results of the investigations described in this monograph con-
stituted an exhibit at the Building of Mines and Metallurgy, of the
St. Louis Exposition and was “Awarded a Bronze Medal for Original
Research into the Chemistry, Physics and Medical Value of Radium.”
2. The paper on Induced Radioactivity and Aluminum appeared in
the Scientific American, May 14th, 1904.
3. The short abstract at the end is from a chapter on “Radium, Its
Value in Medicine,” contributed to the International Clinics, Vol. IV,
Series XIV. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.
4. The other parts of this monograph appeared in The Cleveland
Medical Journal, May, 1904.
COPYRIGHTED BY
MYRON METZENBAUM, M. D.
1904
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Exhibition typifying results of experiments with Radium, Thorium, Uranium, Zirconium,
Yttrium, Aluminum and Cork on photographic plates in the dark. At the Scientific Exhibit of
the ohio State Medical Association at Cleveland, O., May 18-20th, 1904, and at the Scientific Ex-
hibit of the American Medical Association, Atlantic City, June 7-10th, 1904, and Portland meeting, 1905.
At the Building of Mines and Metallurgy, St. Louis Exposition, 1904, awarded Bronze Medal.

[MONOGRAPH.]
Radium, Radioactive Substances and Aluminum
with Experimental Research of the Same
BY MYRON METZENBAUM, B. S., M. D., CLEVELAND, O.
Assistant in the Department of Anatomy of the Cleveland College of Physicians
and Surgeons
. History: Following the discovery of the X-rays, the entire
scientific world, turned its attention to the seeking of new forms of
light. In February, 1896, M. Henri, of Paris, showed that if zinc
sulphid be exposed to the sunlight so as to render it phosphor-
escent, that it could be sprinkled on a photographic plate, which
was first covered with black paper, and that the plate would be
affected just as if it had been exposed to the X-rays.
Following this announcement Professor H. Becquerel, of
the Institute of France, commenced a systematic investigation of
phosphorescent substances on photographic plates, which were
first covered with black paper. A plate thus covered with black
paper may be exposed to the sunlight for 24 hours without being
affected.
In the course of his research, he exposed the various ura-
nium salts on the covered plates and allowed the sun to act upon
them. This showed that under the uranium crystals the photo-
graphic plates were affected just the same as if they had been
exposed to the sunlight.
On one occasion the weather being stormy he laid a plate
on which there were some uranium salts in a drawer. It
remained there several days and then he decided to develop it, not
expecting to find any change, but much to his surprise, there were
well-defined impressions on the plate. Repeating the experiment
he found that the uranium salts need not be exposed to the sun-
light in order to obtain an impression, but that the uranium was
capabie of emitting its own rays of light and that these rays were
capable of penetrating black paper.
Preliminary Paper presented at the Experimental Section of the Academy of
Medicine of Cleveland, March 12, 1904
I 43.583
6 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
In justice to the discoverer's name all substances, which emit
rays of light, that are capable of affecting a photographic plate
through black paper in the dark, are said to possess Becquerel
rays.
Following up the experiments of Prof. Becquerel, Madam
Curie, of Paris, assisted by her husband, M. Curie, found that
crude pitchblend, from which uranium is derived, was much more
active than the uranium salt itself; and they further found that
the waste product of the pitchblend, remaining after the uranium
had been extracted, was even more active than either the uranium
or the pitchblend. They not only determined this activity by the
action on photographic plates, but also by noting the increased
velocity with which a charged electroscope was discharged, when
the pitchblend was brought near it, as compared with the velocity
with which the uranium discharged the electroscope; and also that
the waste product of the pitchblend discharged the electroscope
with a greater rapidity than did the pitchblend. They, therefore,
rightly concluded that pitchblend contained something which
uranium did not, and that this active property was to be found .
in the waste product.
After two years, in 1898, the Curies extracted a new sub-
stance, which they called polonium, and soon thereafter a second
new substance, which they called radium. A year later their
assistant extracted a third new substance, which they called
actinium. The discovery of radium promises to be the most
important scientific discovery ever given to the world by a woman.
For the discovery of the Becquerel rays and these new sub-
stances, the Royal Academy of Stockholm has awarded to M.
Becquerel, M. and Madam Curie conjointly the Nobel prize of
100,000 crowns ($28,000), as being the most important contribu-
tion to “Physics and Chemistry” for the year 1903.
Pitchblend: Pitchblend, or uraninit, is found in Bohemia,
Saxony, Cornwall and Colorado. It contains about 81% of
uranium, and it is in the waste product after the uranium is
extracted that radium is found. Commercially, the uranium salts
are used in the coloring of glass and give to the Bohemian glass
their beautiful dark brown and blue tints.
Uranium nitrate is used in photography in the intensify-
ing solution, and it is to be wondered at that no photographer
should have discovered the action of this salt on photographic
plates. If the uranium salts are rubbed in the dark they emit short
blue or violet rays.
Radioactivity: If a piece of hard rubber or a stick of sealing-
METZENBAUM-RADIUM 7
wax be rubbed with a flannel and brought near an electroscope, it
will cause the two leaves of the electroscope to fly apart, due to the
fact that both leaves are charged with the same kind or negative
electricity. Now if metallic uranium is brought near this charged
electroscope it will cause the leaves to come together. The rapidity
with which pure metallic uranium discharges the electroscope is
taken as the unit or one. The rapidity with which any other
substance discharges an electroscope is known as the radioactivity
of that particular substance. All the products of radium, uranium,
thorium, and as I will show later zirconium and yttrium possess
this property of discharging an electroscope. The rapidity with
which the electroscope is discharged is noted by a watch, and the
distance the leaves approach each other during the interval noted
is read by means of a telescope and a finely graduated scale. Cer-
tain specimens of radium have an activity of 1,700,000.
Investigation: Following along the line of work suggested
by Professor Becquerel, I obtained various samples of uranium
salts from different manufacturers in this country and abroad,
thereby believing them to have come from different products of
pitchblend. Then taking sensitive photographic plates and cover-
ing them with black paper, there was placed on each plate a flat
object, generally a key, and around the key the pulverized uranium
crystals were sprinkled. The plates were then placed in a triple
photographic plate-box, each box enclosed in a cigar-box and
finally placed in a cupboard in my photographic dark-room. In
this way all possibilities for the action of sunlight were absolutely
excluded.
f Every six hours a plate was developed, and after 36 hours a
rather definite image appeared. Most of the uranium salts, even
after recrystalizing them several times, require 48 hours to produce
definite outlines of the object.
Each experiment was repeated at least twice and many as
often as 10 times under exactly the same conditions, using the
same substances in exactly the same quantities and allowing the
same length of time. I will not enter into many details of the
work covering many months, nor of the many unsuccessful results,
nor will I speak of the vast number of so-called phosphorescent
substances, which are either naturally phosphorescent or in which
phosphorescence was induced by exposure to sunlight, or by the
burning of magnesia strips near the substance, which I have tried
but which have not affected a photographic plate. Beside these
substances to be mentioned in this paper, there are several which I
will not report as showing activity on a photographic plate until I
have completed an entire series of experiments with them.
8 MetzENBAUM-RADIUM
That the action on a photographic plate is not a chemical
action, but one due to the so-called Becquerel rays, I infer from
the fact that the substances were separated from the film of the
plate by either black paper, a plate of glass, bone, or were placed
on the reverse side of the photographic plate, so that the rays
had to penetrate the glass before reaching the film. The activity
of a particular product I judge from the depth the rays have pene-
trated the film of the plate, when the same weight of crystals,
generally 120 grains, were placed at the same distance, for the
same length of time, and spread over the same area.
In this paper there will be mentioned only a single experiment,
illustrating the typical action of a particular substance under each
different condition and owing to the lack of space, only a few of
the pictures typifying the results can be shown.
The full data of the experiments, with all the objects exposed
and negatives, are in my possession, by which any experiment may
be verified.
Figure I URANIUM SERIES Experiment
Piece of Bohemian Pitchblend placed on bare photographic plate Produced its
own image and affected plate for 4 inch around. Time 24 hours.
Experiment 1: Figure I—A piece of pitchblend or uranimit, obtained
from Joachemsthal. Bohemia, was placed on a photographic plate and
not only did it produce its own image, but it emitted a sufficient amount
of rays to affect the plate for more than a half inch all around itself. Time
was 24 hours.

Metzenbaum–Radium 9
Experiment 2: The same piece of pitchbend as in Experiment 1
was placed on the reverse side of a photographic plate, which was cov-
ered with black paper, and remained there five days, after which time
not only did the pitchblend produce its own image but it cast out suffi-
cient amount of rays to affect the plate for three-quarters of an inch all
around itself. In this case the rays first penetrated the glass before
reaching the film.
Experiment 3: A hermetically sealed tube of very thick glass, con-
taining five grains of pure metallic uranium, was placed on a photo-
graphic plate covered with black paper. After 48 hours it gave a very
deep print of itself.
Experiment 4: The same tube as in the above experiment was sus-
pended over a key placed on a bare photographic plate at a distance of
half an inch. The time was 90 hours. This specimen of metallic uranium
does not seem to be specially active.
Experiment 5: Six crystals of nitrate of uranium were placed on a
photographic plate, which was first covered with black paper, and allowed
to remain 48 hours, after which time they produced their own image and
also cast out a sufficient amount of rays to flash the plate for a distance
of half an inch around.
Experiment 6: Powdered crystals of uranic oxid (yellow oxid) were
sprinkled around the key, which was laid on the covered photographic
plate. The rays in this case have partially penetrated the key. The time
48 hours.
Experiment 7: Powdered
crystals of uranous oxid (black
oxid) were sprinkled around
the key, which was laid on a
photographic plate covered
with black paper. The time
was 48 hours. In this case
the Becquerel rays have pene-
trated the thin steel chiefly
around the head of the key.
This product of uranium is the
most radioactive of any of the
uranium salts I possess, and
seems to be even more active,
than the metallic uranium.
Experiment 8: A bone
pleximiter of one mm. thick-
ness was laid on a photo-
graphic plate, covered with
black paper and the powdered
crystals of nitrate of uranium
was placed on the plate of bone
and allowed to remain 72
hours. In this case the rays
have penetrated the bone.
Experiment 9: Thinking
that possibly some of the
*...", ºn." plate º:
ave been due to some of the
crystals being accidentally URANIUM SERIES
forced under the bone plate,
Figure II Experiment 14.
- - Crystals of uranous oxid (black oxid)
º º!"; bone º not lie were placed on glass plate suspended one
absolutely flat on the plate, thus inch above a plate covered with black
allowing some of the rays paper. Time 92 hours.
to penetrate under the side
of the bone, I made a trough of black paper, placed this on top of the
bone plate, which was laid on a photographic plate, which was covered
with black paper, and placed the uranium nitrate crystals in the paper

10 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
trough, and after 72 hours I obtained a picture showing that the rays
had penetrated the bone and the two layers of black paper.
Experiment 10: I placed crystals of uranous oxid in an aluminum cup
and placed the cup on a plate of bone of one mm. thickness which was
on the bare photographic plate. In this case the rays have penetrated the
aluminum and the bone. Time 120 hours.
Experiment 11: Uranous oxid was placed in , an aluminum box
which was placed on a photographic plate covered with black paper and
after 60 hours it produced a very deep print.
Experiment 12: Uranous oxid was placed in an aluminum box, which
was placed on the reverse side of a photographic plate, and after 72 hours
it produced a very deep print.
Experiment 13: Crystals of uranous oxid were placed on a glass
plate, which was suspended half an inch above the object which was
placed on a photographic plate, covered with black paper, and after 72
hours it gave a well-defined outline of the object.
Experiment 14: Figure II—Crystals of uranous oxid were placed on
a glass plate suspended one inch above the photographic plate, the left half
of which was covered with black paper and a key was laid on each half.
The time was 92 hours. At this distance (one inch) it requires nearly twice
the length of time to produce the same depth of print. There is very little
difference between the half covered with black paper and the half not so
covered—the black paper offering but little hindrance to the rays.
SUMIMARY
From the foregoing experiments we may draw the following
conclusions: that the various uranium salts are capable of affect-
ing a photographic plate without the aid of the direct sun rays;
that these rays can penetrate black paper, aluminium, bone, and
glass; that they can act at a distance of several inches. At a dis-
tance of one inch, it requires about twice the length of time for the
rays to act as compared with their action, when only separated
from the photographic plate by black paper. After several months,
during which time these uranium salts have been used almost con-
stantly, they do not seem to show any loss of power in their action
on photographic plates. -
The radioactivity, as exhibited in the uranium products, I
believe is due to the fact that uranium is derived from the same
crude product as radium, and that it possesses none of these
properties itself, but probably contains very minute quantities of
radium. The different products of uranium vary as to their
action on photographic plates, which probably depends upon the
amount of radium present in the product.
THORIUM SERIES
All the experiments performed with thorium are the exact
duplicates of those performed with uranium, and in all respects
the results obtained are the same, except that some thorium
products affect a photographic plate with greater rapidity than
some of the uranium products I have examined and’ with less
:
:
:
Metzenbaum–Radium 11
rapidity than others, a notable exception is one particular specimen
of uranous oxid, which is very active.
Thorium is considered the most radioactive substance known,
next to that of radium itself. Thorium was originally found in
Greenland, but is now obtained in great quantities in a very pure
form in South America.
Commercially, thorium is used for the manufacture of Wels-
bach and similar mantels, these mantels containing about 98%
of pure thorium nitrate.
Figure III THORIUM SERIES Experiment I
Fragment of Welsbach mantel laid on bare photographic plate. Due to the
Becquerel rays of the thorium it photographs itself. Time 72 hours.
Experiment I: Figure III–I took part of a Welsbach mantel which
had been burning on my gas for some time and placed the same on a bare
photographic plate. The mantel produced its own image in 72 hours,
due to the Becquerel rays contained in the thorium.
Experiment II: A photographic plate was covered with black paper
and the Welsbach mantel was placed on top of the paper, it requiring
seven days for the rays to penetrate the black paper and 14 days to pro-
duce a strong print. The reason for such a long exposure is due to the
small quantity of thorium in this fragment of the mantel.
Experiment III: Figure IV—A photographic plate was covered with
black paper, a key was placed on top, and the powdered crystals of thor-
ium nitrate were ła. around the key. The time 60 hours.
Experiment IV: Crystals of thorium nitrate were placed on a glass
plate suspended one inch above a plate which was covered with black
paper on which lay a key. The time 96 hours.
Experiment V: Crystals of thorium nitrate were placed in an alumi-
num cup, and the cup was then placed on a photographic plate covered

12 Metzenbaum—Radium
with black paper. It required four days for the rays to penetrate the
aluminum and paper.
Experiment Vl: , Thorium nitrate was placed on top of a plate of
bone of one mm, thickness. The time necessary for the rays to penetrate
was 92 hours.
Figure IV THORIUM SERIES Experiment III -
Polar Bear picture. Spread crystals of thorium nitrate around key placed on
plate first covered with black paper. Time 60 hours.
CONCLUSIONS
From these experiments we can conclude that the Becquerel
rays of thorium are capable of affecting photographic plates in the
dark without the aid of sunlight; that they can penetrate black
paper, aluminum, bone and glass, and at a distance of one
inch it requires about twice the length of time it would if it
were only separated from the photographic plate by black paper.
This radioactivity of thorium is most probably due to a minute
quantity of radium, which it contains.
In the investigation of many substances belonging to the same
class as thorium, as to the action on photographic plates in the
dark, I now wish to report two substances, as affecting photo-
graphic plates in the dark, which have hitherto not been reported
as having this property. The first is zirconium nitrate, the second
yttrium.
I think one may almost draw the inference that all of the
other rare substances belonging to this same group similar to
thorium, zirconium and yttrium will show a radioactivity.

Metzenbaum–Radium 13
These substances are used in the manufacture of the Welsbach
mantel, and under the stimulation of the burning gas they emit
their strong light.
Figure V ZIRCONIUM SERIES Experiment 1
crystal of zirconium nitrate spread around object, which was laid on photo-
graphic plate first covered with black paper. This is the first picture made showing
zirconium to possess the Becquerel rays. Time 48 hours.
Experiment I: Figure V–I covered a photographic plate with black
paper, spread crystals of zirconium nitrate around the object, and obtained
a very definite outline of the object in 48 hours, showing the rays to have
penetrated the film very deeply.
Experiment II: I placed the crystals of zirconium nitrate on a glass
plate which was suspended one inch above a bare photographic plate on
which a key was placed. After 92 hours there I obtained a very good out-
line of the key. These are the first pictures produced by the Becquerel
rays of zirconium.
Experiment III: The crystals of zirconium nitrate were placed in
an aluminum box and placed the same on a covered photographic plate and
after 72 hours there was a strong picture, showing the rays to have pene-
trated the aluminum and black paper.
In repeated experiments with zirconium it seems to affect a
photographic plate in less time than any preparation of thorium I
have thus far obtained. It is possible that zirconium may even be
shown to be more radioactive than thorium.
Experiment I: A photographic plate was covered with black paper
and crystals of yttrium were spread around the object. It required four
days to affect the photographic plate.
Experiment II: Some yttrium was placed in an aluminum box and
then placed on a covered photographic plate. A definite impression was
obtained after 72 hours.

14 - MEtzENBAUM-RADIUM
RADIUM
The source of radium is from pitchblend or uraninite after
the uranium has been extracted. It comes in hermetically sealed
tubes, for it absorbs moisture readily, in the form of radium car-
bonate in the lower activities, and as radium bromid or chlorid
in the higher activities. Pure radium is practically unknown. It
has a spectrum of its own and Madam Curie determined its
atomic weight as 225. This is the largest atomic weight of any
substance known and, therefore, has a very large molecule. It
has a spectrum of its own. It has thus fulfilled all the require-
ments of an element. It belongs to the group of strontium,
barium and calcium. It is capable of affecting a photographic
plate in the dark at a distance of many inches.
Figure VI RADIUM PICTURE
Suspended tube 15 gr. Radium 40 activity under surface of cigar-box cover. On
bottom of box placed chain on bare photographic plate, Time 24 hours.
In Figure VI the chain was placed on the bare photographic plate,
which was placed on the bottom of the cigar-box and a tube of radium
of 40 activity containing 15 grains was suspended from the under sur-
face of the cigar-box cover. The time was 24 hours.
A tube of radium of 7000 activity containing 20 milligrams was placed
on the brass hook, which lay on a photographic plate covered with black
paper. The time 24 hours. In this case the rays have penetrated the
brass.
The rays of radium of very high activity are capable of pene-
trating very dense bodies. In the dark, when placed back of the



METZENBAUM-RADIUM 15
ordinary fluoroscope screen, there appears a rather bright area.
When placed back of some Willimite it seems as if a light were
placed back of a yellow stained window. When brought near a
diamond in the dark it causes the same to phosphoresce very
brilliantly.
When radium of high activity is placed against the closed
eyelid it gives a very peculiar brilliant light. In the dark, radium
gives out a phosphorescent light which is very similar to that
obtained by rubbing the head of a match with one's fingers
in the dark. If one arises at night after the eyes have been
relaxed for several hours, and if the room be perfectly dark, one
may be able to follow out and read a line of print. Radium emits
enough heat to melt its own weight of ice per hour.
The ability of radium to give out both light and heat for an
indefinite time without apparently losing any of its weight or
power has startled the scientific world, and, as Lord Kelvin said,
“Radium has placed the first question-mark back of the law of
conservation of energy;” for here there is a kind of perpetual
motion, and it is seemingly, as if radium was creating its own
energy. But already several observations point to a solution of
the problem. However, it is true that no known substance is
capable of giving out the same amount of energy without becom-
ing inactive.
First theory: Is that radium has a very large molecule,
since its atomic weight is 225, and that these molecules are con-
tinuously breaking up into smaller particles, namely into ions or
electrons, and it is because of the breaking up of the molecules and
thereby changing its form, that radium emits light and heat.
As bearing on this theory, Prof. Crooks constructed an instru-
ment called the “spinthariscope.” This instrument consists of a
small X-ray or fluoroscopic screen of platino-barium-cyanide, back
of which there is placed a small particle of radium. When you
look through a low-powered microscope on this screen, in the
dark, there can be seen continuous brilliant flashes on various parts
on the screen, which appear very similar to the silvery flashes seen
on the screen during a kinetescopic view. These flashes are inter-
preted as being due to the ions striking up against the screen.
Second theory: This is one in which it is supposed that
radium acts as a transformer and is capable of capturing or absorb-
ing some form of energy and of converting the same into the
ultra-violet light and heat.
As bearing on this theory the following may be offered: If
zinc sulphid be exposed to the sunlight it becomes phosphorescent
16 MetzENBAUM-RADIUM
and is capable of affecting a photographic plate in the dark for as
long a period as six weeks.
Second–If calcium sulphid is exposed to the sunlight or after
it is placed near burning magnesia it will affect a photographi
plate in the dark for a long time. -
Third—I took some polysulphid of calcium and mixed the
same with some varnish and with this I painted the inside of a
large test-tube. (This is practically known as luminous paint.)
This tube was then exposed to the sunlight which rendered it
phosphorescent, and when taken into the dark it gives out suffici-
ent light so that one can read several lines of a newspaper at
Figure VII
Test tube painted with polysulphia of calcium rendered phosphorescent by
exposure to sunlight, suspended from under surface of cigar-box cover. Bare photo-
graphic plate with objects laid on bottom of box. Time seven days. Double image
due to moving box after three days.
a time. (Fig. VII.) This tube was then suspended from the under
surface of a cigar-box cover, and at the bottom of the box was
placed a bare photographic plate on which was laid the three
objects, the distance from the tube to the plate being about two
inches. The box was wrapped up in paper and laid away in a
drawer in the dark-room and remained there for seven days, after
which time a very definite outline of the object was obtained. The
double outline of the objects is due to the fact that the box was
moved on the third day. The tube has been kept constantly in the

METZENBAUM-RADIUM 17
dark for six weeks, after which time it affected the photographic
plate very actively in five days. Thus we see that these two sub-
stances, zinc sulphid and calcium polysulphid, are capable of
absorbing some energy from the sunlight, and calcium sulphid
of absorbing some energy from either the sun's rays or from the
burning magnesia, and that these substances are capable of retain-
ing this energy and of giving the same out slowly for a period of
six weeks, during which time they can affect a photographic plate.
INDUCED RADIOACTIVITY”
It has been stated that if a sealed tube containing radium of
high activity be suspended in a normal salt solution, and solutions
containing various drugs, that these solutions become radioactive
and are capable of affecting photographic plates.
It has further been intimated that if radium has a thera-
peutic value, then these solutions which have been rendered radio-
active might likewise have a therapeutic action, and since solutions
can be taken internally, the possibilities of these radioactive solu-
tions might be of considerable value.’
In view of this fact, I conducted a very large series of experi-
ments from which the following negative results have been
obtained:
Two tubes of radium of 1,000,000 activity, each containing
5 milligrams, and two other tubes of lesser activity, each contain-
ing 50 milligrams, were placed in a normal salt solution and
remained there for 10 days.
This solution was placed in test-tubes of very thin glass and in
the small vials in which hypodermic tablets are contained. These
were then strapped with adhesive plaster on to the film side of
photographic plates. Some of the plates had first been covered
with black paper.
These tubes remained from a period of 24 hours up to 21
days, and in no case was there the faintest sign that the photo-
graphic plates had been affected.
It has been known for a long time that aluminum offers very
little resistance to the rays of radium and radioactive substances.
I therefore took many boxes made of very thin aluminum and
filled these with so-called radioactive solutions, and placed them
on photographic plates, first covered with black paper. But in no
instance, even after 10 days, was any image obtained.
Then aluminum boxes were filled with these solutions and
placed on the bare photographic plates, and after 40 to 48 hours
*Paper appeared in the Scientific American, May 14, 1904
18 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
very definite outlines of the boxes wereobtained. Stimulated by this
last observation, which I then considered a correct one, as indicat-
ing a result due to the so-called radioactve solutions. I practically
completed a series of 96 experiments, from which I made the fol-
lowing inferences, which would be very pleasing if true, but as I
will soon show, are incorrect.
1. That a normal, salt solution becomes radioactive, as proven, by
the outline of an aluminum box containing this solution, when this box
is placed on a bare photographic plate for 40 to 48 hours.
2. A saturated salt solution becomes more radioactive than a nor-
mal salt solution.
3. As the amount of salt in the solution is increased, so is the
induced radioactivity.
4. A tube of 10 milligrams of 1,000,000 activity does not induce a
greater amount of radioactivity into a salt solution, than does a tube of 20
milligrams of 7,000 activity or a tube of 15 grains of 40 activity. From
this it would seem as though a salt solution could be rendered radioactive
to a certain degree only.
5. The radioactivity seemed to be just as great after a tube of
radium was suspended in a salt solution for 10 hours, as it was after the
tube of radium had been kept in the salt solution continuously for three
weeks.
6. That a tube of radium could be placed in some salt and if this
salt were made into solution, it would retain its radioactivity.
7. That this radioactivity is not lost after several weeks.
If all of these inferences had not been overthrown, and if
these radioactive solutions had any therapeutic action, then surely
these results would have been of great value, for it would be
possible to transport these solutions, or to render substances radio-
active, and to apply the same, and again a tube of radium costing
a few dollars would accomplish the same result as a tube costing
$250.00.
ALUMINUM +
When these aluminum boxes were placed on the photographic
plate, they only produced an outline of their rim. This I explained
by the fact that they were slightly concave and only affected the
plate at the points of contact. It was also noticed, no matter what
Solutions the boxes contained, that there was always about the
same amount of print for the same length of time. I had also
noticed that distilled water, when submitted to the tube of radium,
produced the same amount of print. This caused me some doubt,
for I believed it to be the solids in the solution which became radio-
active. When aluminum boxes were filled with these salt solu-
tions and empty ones were placed on the reverse side of the photo-
graphic plate, they did not affect the plate after a period of 10
davs. -
*Practically all objects which are brought in close contact with the film of a
photographic plate for a considerable time, will leave their impressions. See the author's
article in relation to “Corks and Their Supposed Induced Radioactive Effect on Photo-
graphic Plates,” Scientific American, Sept. 24, 1904
Metzenbaum–Radium 19
During the entire series no aluminum box had been used
more than once, for I soon observed that if a box had contained
any of these solutions or any radioactive substance, no matter
how much I cleaned or boiled it, the box still affected the photo-
graphic plate; while the steel keys, which had been covered with
the various uranium salts, and thorium, if they were cleaned
thoroughly, would not affect the photographic plate. These boxes
were always kept in a place where I thought them out of the
influence of all radioactive substance.
These observations forced me to seek for an error. This
action of metallic aluminum on the photographic plates I con-
cluded must be sought for in the boxes themselves.
Then several empty boxes were
placed on bare photographic plates
and after 48 hours they gave as
good prints as if they had been filled
with the solutions. I then thought
that somehow they might have been
rendered radioactive. Then some
new boxes were obtained and placed
on bare photographic plates, and
after 48 hours these also affected
the plate, and so did many other
Figure VIII
116 W. boxes. An empty aluminum box was
- - placed on the bare photographic
The next questions which Pre- plate time ºn hours. "The bºx is
Sel - slightly concave and only gives an
ented themselves, Were : outline of the rim where it touches.
- This action is not one due to radio-
1. Is the particular product activity, but is probably either
of aluminum, from which these chemical or electrical.
boxes are made, radioactive?
2. Is all aluminum radioactive?
* Is this action of aluminum on photographic plates due
to radioactivity, or some other cause?
4. If this action of aluminum on photographic plates is
not due to radioactivity, what then is it due to?
5. What action will aluminum salts have on photographic
plates?
Summary: Many aluminum articles were placed on bare
photographic plates, and in every instance they produced their
own image in 48 to 96 hours.
These same aluminum articles, when placed on photographic
plates covered with black paper, did not produce an effect on the
plate in 10 days.
These same aluminum articles, when placed on the reverse

20 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
side of the photographic plate, or when separated from the film by
a plate of glass, did not affect the plate in 10 days.
The summary of the experiment of placing aluminum salts,
of which there are many, on the bare photographic plate, is that
in no instance was the plate at all affected after 10 days.
The inferences to be drawn are:
1. When metallic aluminum is placed on the bare photo-
graphic plate in the dark, it will produce its own image.
2. That aluminum will not affect a photographic plate
when separated from the film of the plate by black paper, glass, or
when placed on the reverse side of the plate. Therefore, alumi-
num is not radioactive.
This action of metallic aluminum on photographic plates is
probably either a chemical action or an electrical action between
the metal and the albuminate of silver of the plate.
This observation, that metallic aluminum when placed on the
bare photographic plate produces its own image, has heretofore
not been pointed out.
Tubes of radium were placed in various powders, as bismuth
subnitrate, for several days, and then these powders were placed
directly on the film of the plate, and in no instance, even after 10.
days, did they show the slighest effect on the plates and are there-
fore not rendered radioactive and can in no wise affect the
metabolism or pathology of living organisms.
These conclusions give positive proof, that by suspending
tubes of radium of varying strengths for long periods in various
solutions and various powders, that neither the solutions nor the
powders are capable of affecting photographic plates.
Nor was it possible to show the supposed induced radio-
activity by means of an electroscope.
Radium-therapy is a word I chose to suggest some months
ago as signifying the application of the radium rays in the treat-
ment of diseases, in counterdistinction to the word radiotherapy,
which signifies the application of the X-rays in the treatment of
disease.
There has never been a discovery but has been heralded
as a panacea or cure-all, and already the radium rays are supposed
to have accomplished wonders, especially in the cure of cancers
and consumption. I have canvassed the subject thoroughly, col-
lected all the published literature from medical magazines to date,
and written to many who have reported cases of cure, and I must
say that, up to the present time, there are but few cases reported
by thoroughly reliable observers, wherein the radium rays have
METZENBAUM-RADIUM - 21
shown a beneficial action. Furthermore, it is far too early to
draw any inferences, though it does seem as if these rays do exert
some influence in lupus and rodent ulcer, but, in cases of deep-
seated cancer, it is not possible to apply the rays without affecting
all of the tissues, through which the rays must pass.
It has been proclaimed that the radium rays are life-giving.
Now my inferences are quite the opposite, namely, that it is a
death-producing agent to all living cells, either animal or plant, if
applied in sufficient strength and for a long enough time, and its
value in medicine is the hope that it may destroy the life of
simpler cells of germs or of cancer before destroying the healthy
cells of the body, thus leaving the healthy body-cells to regain
themselves.
That healthy cells of the body may be destroyed is proven
by the already frequent observations that when radium is applied
to the healthy skin for a considerable length of time, it will pro-
duce an irritation, which may result in an ulcer requiring months to
heal. I have seen such a scar in a physician, who had placed a
tube of radium in an aluminum box and fastened the same to
his forearm for three hours. The experiment was made over
two years ago, and at the present time there remains a red
irritated area, on which the hair no longer grows, and in many
respects it acts like some vaccination scars.
There are some reliable reports showing that radium has
retarded certain growths of bacteria. Prof. Curie introduced
a few milligrams of radium under the skin of a mouse near the
vertebral column and it produced death by paralysis in three
hours. He also placed tubes of radium of high activity on the
backs of guinea-pigs, which were either paralyzed or died of
paralysis in a few hours. This seems to indicate that the radium
rays have an action on the nerves.
It was thought that radium might be used similar to the
X-rays in obtaining skiagraphs of the bones, but the rays of radium
penetrate the bone quite as easily as they do the flesh, and it
requires at least 24 hours, using a tube of radium of high activity,
to obtain an outline of the bones, during which time the rays will
have caused a very severe irritation of the exposed area.
*The next two figures of a false joint of the ulna (which I
reported in the Cleveland Medical Journal, April, 1904) give
a very good example of the comparative value of the X-rays and
radium in the examination of bones directly. The first figure is an
X-ray of the bone itself after a three-minute exposure. In the
second figure the bone was fastened directly on the bare photo-
*This specimen has been deposited in the Surgeon-General's Museum, Washington, D. C.
• 'e © e
© © º
wº * *
©
22 Metzenbaum–RADIUM
graphic plate and a tube of 15 grains of radium of 40 activity
was suspended directly above for one week. The rays have but
slightly penetrated the connective tissue between the ends of
the two bones. When tubes of radium of high activity were
suspended above this same bone for a period of two weeks it
did not show a sharp differentiation between the fibrous tissue
and the solid bone.
X-ray picture of false joint, showing the
ends
TI
DOSure. graphic plate.
:
:
:
-
.
Thorium, being a very radioactive substance, might have
some value in either medicine or surgery, for it is a nice, clean,
white, stable chemical, and it is possible that it might be added
to our list of drugs.
The toxicity of this substance, as determined on animals, as
well as the clinical findings of the same, with those of radium, will
be published later.
:
:
:
:
:
Radium picture. Tube of 15 grain of
Radium 40 activity suspended one week above
of the fragments. Three-minute ex- bone which was placed on a bare photo-


METzENBAUM-RADIUM 23
RADIUM, Its VALUE IN MEDICINE
Abstract of article, omitting illustrating photographs, contributed as a chapter to Vol. IV,
Series XIV, of the International Clinics. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia
When radium of at least 7,000 activity contained in an hermetically
sealed tube is placed on the unbroken skin for a period of at least three
hours it may produce an irritation which may finally result in ulceration
of the skin.
When tubes containing radium of 15 grains each of from 40 to 100
activity and one tube of 20 milligrams 7,000 activity were placed on ulcer-
ated areas, they produce sensations not unlike the feeling one experiences
in a burn when standing near a hot stove. Radium also causes a peculiar
pink injection of the ulcerated and surrounding tissue, which may last
from a few hours to as long as 16 hours.
From very careful observations no difference could be noted in the
physical or therapeutic results when using radium of 100 activity or 7,000
activity.
REPORT OF CASES *
In all cases the tubes of radium were placed directly on the area to be
treated and held in position by strips of adhesive plaster. A treatment was
given every three or four days for thirty-five to forty-five minutes each
time. Nº internal treatment was given, and no local treatment whatsoever
WaS 11S6 Ol.
Case I: Rodent ulcer in a woman, age 57, extending from the middle
of the right supra-orbital ridge to within 2% centimeters of the ear and
well down on the cheek, causing a loss of the eye. The X-rays had
been applied for a period of eight months, but the ulcer continued to
spread. On April 14, 1904, applied tubes of radium of low activity, after
15 days the ulcerated surface had healed over. The photograph taken after
40 days shows entire ulcerated surface replaced by firm white scar tissue.
The case has remained perfectly well after 16 months.
Case II: Male, age 27. Four years ago lupus developed to the right
of the chin, covering an area of 1% inches in width, 3 inches in length.
The ulcerated area was dissected out and followed by a course of X-ray
treatment. The surface healed, leaving a scar of very firm fibrous tissue,
which drew down the right angle of the mouth, causing an impediment in
his speech. February, 1904, an ulcer, the size of a quarter, developed on
the thigh. This did not heal under various methods of treatment for a
period of three months. May 23rd, 1904, applied radium of low activity
to the ulcerated area, and after three applications the same healed and
has now remained well for one year. To the old scar on the face radium
of low activity was applied at four different times. This caused the firm
fibrous scar tissue to become soft and pliable, so that the angle of the
mouth was no longer drawn down to the same degree, nor is it as apparent
as before.
Case III: A young lady, age 22, has large lupoid area five centimeters
in length, 2% centimeters in width, which has healed after 12 different
cauterizations, leaving a rather rough and firm scar. Around this healed
area was a rim of one centimeter in width which was red ; in many places
there were small denuded areas; in all there were 15 applications of the
tubes of radium, which caused the red rim to disappear and the small
ulcerated areas to heal; also the firm and somewhat rough old scar
became soft and pliable, so that it is but slightly noticeable.
Case IV: Woman, age 71, developed a small epithelioma on the right
of her cheek, measuring 1% centimeters in diameter. The glands of the
neck were not infiltrated. The radium was applied nine different times
and caused the depression to fill in and heal over. One year has elapsed
since the last treatment, and excepting for a slight redness of the area
nothing would be noticeable.
Case V: Woman, age 32, has very extensive lupus vulgaris extending
over the entire right side of her face from the ear up into the scalp, down
24 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
to the cheek and back to the angle of the jaw and around to the chin.
Various methods of treatment had been tried during many years. The
photograph was taken thirty days from the beginning of treatment, during
which time she has had 14 applications, and it may be seen that great
numbers of the elevated areas have smoothed down and that there is a
great amount of new intervening scar tissue, which is soft and pliable.
Case VI: Woman, age 40. Had a mole above the right supra-orbital
ridge. She persistently picked at this until, as she says, she pulled it out
clear from the root. Two and one-half months from this time I saw her.
There was a deep hole where the mole had been, with a diameter of two
centimeters, extending down to the periosteum of the bone; the edges
were highly inflamed as well as the surrounding tissue, and there was a
discharge of blood and serum. This is undoubtedly an epithelioma develop-
ing by irritating the mole. She received eight applications of radium
in the period of thirty days and the deep ulcerated surface has filled in
and healed over so as to be barely noticeable. She has remained well
for nine months.
CONCLUSIONS
1. From these cases the following inferences may be drawn, namely:
that with rays coming from radium which is contained in hermetically
sealed tubes placed directly on an ulcerated area, a slight sensation will
be felt in from seven to eight minutes, but when the skin is unbroken, no
sensation is felt, even if the tubes of radium remain on for a period of
thirty-five minutes
2. If these tubes of radium are kept on an ulcerated area for a period
of thirty-five minutes they produce an increased redness of the diseased
part and cause an erythema of the surrounding healthy tissue, which may
last for several hours, or as long as twenty-four hours.
3. That radium rays have caused an ulcerated lupoid area in three
cases, an ulcerated area of a rodent ulcer, and two small epitheliomas to
heal over, and that these former ulcerated areas may become firm white
scar tissue, which gives them every appearance as though they were healed
and in one case of very extensive lupus vulgaris it has produced such
marked improvement that the case may be considered as healed.
4. That the rays of radium have caused the firm, rough scar tissue
in two cases of old lupoid scars to become soft and pliable, and therefore
they appear less disfiguring.
pº
5. These effects of radium have been very rapid, considering the usual
intractibility of this class of disease and considering that in all cases
various therapeutic measures and means had been tried repeatedly with
little or no effect.
6. What is of very great practical value if radium has a therapeutic
use, namely, these results have been obtained with tubes of radium of low
activity costing but a few dollars, while it was supposed that only radium
of high or very high activity, costing several hundred dollars a tube,
possessed any therapeutic properties.
7. The treatment in none of these cases was commenced longer than
eighteen months ago, and while four of these cases have remained healed
for a period of one year, yet many months or even years must elapse to see
whether the disease will not reassert itself again before the same can be
pronounced as 'cured. And if after a lapse of several years cases of lupus,
rodent ulcer, or epithelioma treated by the aid of radium remain cured,
then radium is only to be classed with the Finsen light and the X-rays
as one of the therapeutic agents in the treatment of lupus and with the
X-rays and surgery as one of the methods in the treatment of small
epithelioma and rodent ulcer. . º
1220 Willson. A venue
NotE—The author earnestly solicits all monographs and articles on
this subject and will appreciate any that may be received.
&c
- y 7.2/
3%. Az-zz.cº. . 2 “Z , ſº 57
RADIUM,
RADIO ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
AND ALUMINUM
with Experimental Research of the Same
BY
MYRON METZENBAUM, B. S., M. D.
. .
CLEVELAND, O.
[Reprint from The Cleveland Medical Journal, May, 1904]
Radium, Radioactive Substances and Aluminum
with Experimental Research of the Same
BY MYRON METZENBAUM, B. S., M. D., CLEVELAND, O.
Assistant in the Department of Anatomy of the Cleveland College of Physicians
and Surgeons
History: Following the discovery of the X-rays, the entire
scientific world, turned its attention to the seeking of new forms of
light. In February, 1896, M. Henri, of Paris, showed that if zinc
sulphid be exposed to the sunlight so as to render it phosphor-
escent, that it could be sprinkled on a photographic plate, which
was first covered with black paper, and that the plate would be
affected just as if it had been exposed to the X-rays.
Following this announcement Professor H. Becquerel, of
, the Institute of France, commenced a systematic investigation of
phosphorescent substances on photographic plates, which were
first covered with black paper. A plate thus covered with black
paper may be exposed to the sunlight for 24 hours without being
affected. **-
In the course of his research, he exposed the various ura-
nium salts on the covered plates and allowed the sun to act upon
them. This showed that under the uranium crystals the photo-
graphic plates were affected just the same as if they had been
exposed to the sunlight.
On one occasion the weather being stormy he laid a plate
on which there were some uranium salts in a drawer. It
remained there several days and then he decided to develop it, not
expecting to find any change, but much to his surprise, there were
well-defined impressions on the plate. Repeating the experiment
he found that the uranium salts need not be exposed to the sun-
light in order to obtain an impression, but that the uranium was
capabie of emitting its own rays of light and that these rays were
capable of penetrating black paper.
Preliminary Paper presented at the Experimental Section of the Academy of
Medicine of Cleveland, March 12, 1904
4 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
In justice to the discoverer's name all substances, which emit
rays of light, that are capable of affecting a photographic plate
through black paper in the dark, are said to possess Becquerel
rays.
Following up the experiments of Prof. Becquerel, Madam
Curie, of Paris, assisted by her husband, M. Curie, found that
crude pitchblend, from which uranium is derived, was much more
active than the uranium salt itself; and they further found that
the waste product of the pitchblend, remaining after the uranium
had been extracted, was even more active than either the uranium
or the pitchblend. They not only determined this activity by the
action on photographic plates, but also by noting the increased
velocity with which a charged electroscope was discharged, when
the pitchblend was brought near it, as compared with the velocity
with which the uranium discharged the electroscope; and also that
the waste product of the pitchblend discharged the electroscope
with a greater rapidity than did the pitchblend. They, therefore,
rightly concluded that pitchblend contained something which
uranium did not, and that this active property was to be found
in the waste product.
After two years, in 1898, the Curies extracted a new sub-
stance, which they called polonium, and soon thereafter a second
new substance, which they called radium. A year later their .
assistant extracted a third new substance, which they called
actinium. The discovery of radium promises to be the most
important scientific discovery ever given to the world by a woman.
For the discovery of the Becquerel rays and these new sub-
stances, the Royal Academy of Stockholm has awarded to M.
Becquerel, M. and Madam Curie conjointly the Nobel prize of
100,000 crowns ($28,000), as being the most important contribu-
tion to “Physics and Chemistry” for the year 1903.
Pitchblend: Pitchblend, or uraninit, is found in Bohemia,
Saxony, Cornwall and Colorado. It contains about 81% of
uranium, and it is in the waste product after the uranium is
extracted that radium is found. Commercially, the uranium salts
are used in the coloring of glass and give to the Bohemian glass
their beautiful dark brown and blue tints.
Uranium nitrate is used in photography in the develop-
ing solution, and it is to be wondered at that no photographer
should have discovered the action of this salt on photographic
plates. If the uranium salts are rubbed in the dark they emit short
blue or violet rays.
Radioactivity: If a piece of hard rubber or a stick of sealing-
MetzENBAUM-RADIUM 5
wax be rubbed with a flannel and brought near an electroscope, it
will cause the two leaves of the electroscope to fly apart, due to the
fact that both leaves are charged with the same kind or negative
electricity. Now if metallic uranium is brought near this charged
electroscope it will cause the leaves to come together. The rapidity
with which pure metallic uranium discharges the electroscope is
taken as the unit or one. The rapidity with which any other
substance discharges an electroscope is known as the radioactivity
of that particular substance. All the products of radium, uranium,
thorium, and as I will show later zirconium and yttrium possess
this property of discharging an electroscope. The rapidity with
which the electroscope is discharged is noted by a watch, and the
distance the leaves approach each other during the interval noted
is read by means of a telescope and a finely graduated scale. Cer-
tain specimens of radium have an activity of 1,700,000.
Investigation: Following along the line of work suggested
by Professor Becquerel, I obtained various samples of uranium
salts from different manufacturers in this country and abroad,
thereby believing them to have come from different products of
pitchblend. Then taking sensitive photographic plates and cover-
ing them with black paper, there was placed on each plate a flat
object, generally a key, and around the key the pulverized uranium
crystals were sprinkled. The plates were then placed in a triple
photographic plate-box, each box enclosed in a cigar-box and
finally placed in a cupboard in my photographic dark-room. In
this way all possibilities for the action of sunlight were absolutely
excluded.
Every six hours a plate was developed, and after 36 hours a
rather definite image appeared. Most of the uranium salts, even
after recrystalizing them several times, require 48 hours to produce
definite outlines of the object.
Each experiment was repeated at least twice and many as
often as 10 times under exactly the same conditions, using the
same substances in exactly the same quantities and allowing the
same length of time. I will not enter into many details of the
work covering many months, nor of the many unsuccessful results,
nor will I speak of the vast number of so-called phosphorescent
substances, which are either naturally phosphorescent or in which
phosphorescence was induced by exposure to sunlight, or by the
burning of magnesia strips near the substance, which I have tried
but which have not affected a photographic plate. Beside these
substances to be mentioned in this paper, there are several which I
will not report as showing activity on a photographic plate until I
have completed an entire series of experiments with them.
6 MetzENBAUM-RADIUM
That the action on a photographic plate is not a chemical
action, but one due to the so-called Becquerel rays, I infer from
the fact that the substances were separated from the film of the
plate by either black paper, a plate of glass, bone, or were placed
on the reverse side of the photographic plate, so that the rays
had to penetrate the glass before reaching the film. The activity
of a particular product I judge from the depth the rays have pene-
trated the film of the plate, when the same weight of crystals,
generally 120 grains, were placed at the same distance, for the
same length of time, and spread over the same area.
In this paper there will be mentioned only a single experiment,
illustrating the typical action of a particular substance under each
different condition and owing to the lack of space, only a few of
the pictures typifying the results can be shown.
The full data of the experiments, with all the objects exposed
and negatives, are in my possession, by which any experiment may
be verified.
l'igure I URANIUM SERIES Experiment 1
Piece of Bohemian Pitchblend placed on bare photographic plate. Produced its
own image and affected plate for *% inch around. Time 24 hours.
Experiment 1: Figure I—A piece of pitchblend or uraninit, obtained
from Joachemsthal, Bohemia, was placed on a photographic plate and
not only did it produce its own image, but it emitted a sufficient amount
of rays to affect the plate for more than a half inch all around itself. Time
was 24 hours.

Metzenbaum—Radium 7
Experiment 2: The same piece of pitchbend as in Experiment 1
was placed on the reverse side of a photographic plate, which was cov-
ered with black paper, and remained there five days, after which time
not only did the pitchblend produce its own image but it cast out suffi-
cient amount of rays to affect the plate for three-quarters of an inch all
around itself. In this case the rays first penetrated the glass before
reaching the film.
Experiment 3: A hermetically sealed tube of very thick glass, con-
taining five grains of pure metallic uranium, was placed on a photo-
graphic plate covered with black paper. After 48 hours it gave a very
deep print of itself.
Experiment 4: The same tube as in the above experiment was sus-
pended over a key placed on a bare photographic plate at a distance of
half an inch. The time was 90 hours. This specimen of metallic uranium
does not seem to be specially active.
Experiment 5: Six crystals of nitrate of uranium were placed on a
photographic plate, which was first covered with black paper, and allowed
to remain 48 hours, after which time they produced their own image and
also cast out a sufficient amount of rays to flash the plate for a distance
of half an inch around.
Experiment 6: Powdered crystals of uranic oxid (yellow oxid) were
sprinkled around the key, which was laid on the covered photographic
plate. The rays in this case have partially penetrated the key. The time
48 hours.
Experiment 7: Powdered
crystals of uranous oxid (black
oxid) were sprinkled around
the key, which was laid on a
photographic plate covered
with black paper. The time
was 48 hours. In this case
the Becquerel rays have pene-
trated the thin steel chiefly
around the head of the key.
This product of uranium is the
most radioactive of any of the
uranium salts I possess, and
seems to be even more active,
than the metallic uranium.
Experiment 8: A bone
pleximiter of one mm, thick-
ness was laid on a photo-
graphic plate, covered with
black paper and the powdered
crystals of nitrate of uranium
was placed on the plate of bone
and allowed to remain 72
hours. In this case the rays
have penetrated the bone.
Experiment 9: Thinking
that possibly some of the
action on the plate might
have been due to some of the
crystals being accidentally
forced under the bone plate,
URANIUM SERIES
Figure II Experiment 14.
- - Crystals of uranous oxid (black oxid)
º, º bone ". º lie were placed on glass plate suspended one
absolutely flat on the plate, thus inch above a plate covered with black
allowing some of the rays paper, Time 92 hours.
to penetrate under the side
of the bone, I made a trough of black paper, placed this on top of the
bone plate, which was laid on a photographic plate, which was covered
with black paper, and placed the uranium nitrate crystals in the paper

8 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
trough, and after 72 hours I obtained a picture showing that the rays
had penetrated the bone and the two layers of black paper.
Experiment 10: I placed crystals of uranous oxid in an aluminum cup
and placed the cup on a plate of bone of one mm. thickness which was
on the bare photographic plate. In this case the rays have penetrated the
aluminum and the bone, Time 120 hours. *
Experiment 11 : Uranous oxid was placed in an aluminum box
which was placed on a photographic plate covered with black paper and .
after 60 hours it produced a very deep print.
Experiment 12: Uranous oxid was placed in an aluminum box, which
was placed on the reverse side of a photographic plate, and after 72 hours
it produced a very deep print. .
Experiment 13: Crystals of uranous oxid were placed on a glass
plate, which was suspended half an inch above the object which was
placed on a photographic plate, covered with black paper, and after 72
hours it gave a well-defined outline of the object.
Experiment 14: Figure II—Crystals of uranous oxid were placed on
a glass plate suspended one inch above the photographic plate, the left half
of which was covered with black paper and a key was laid on each half.
The time was 92 hours. At this distance (one inch) it requires nearly twice
the length of time to produce the same depth of print. There is very little
difference between the half covered with black paper and the half not so
covered—the black paper offering but little hindrance to the rays.
SUMMARY
From the foregoing experiments we may draw the following
conclusions: that the various uranium salts are capable of affect-
ing a photographic plate without the aid of the direct sun rays;
that these rays can penetrate black paper, aluminium, bone, and
glass; that they can act at a distance of several inches. At a dis-
tance of one inch, it requires about twice the length of time for the
rays to act as compared with their action, when only separated
from the photographic plate by black paper. After several months,
during which time these uranium salts have been used almost con-
stantly, they do not seem to show any loss of power in their action
on photographic plates. -
The radioactivity, as exhibited in the uranium products, I
believe is due to the fact that uranium is derived from the same
crude product as radium, and that it possesses none of these
properties itself, but probably contains very minute quantities of
radium. The different products of uranium vary as to their
action on photographic plates, which probably depends upon the
amount of radium present in the product.
THORIUM SERIES
All the experiments performed with thorium are the exact
duplicates of those performed with uranium, and in all respects
the results obtained are the same, except that some, thorium
products affect a photographic plate with greater rapidity than
some of the uranium products I have examined and with less
Metzenbaum–Radium 9
rapidity than others, a notable exception is one particular specimen
of uranous oxid, which is very active.
Thorium is considered the most radioactive substance known,
next to that of radium itself. Thorium was originally found in
Greenland, but is now obtained in great quantities in a very pure
form in South America.
Commercially, thorium is used for the manufacture of Wels-
bach and similar mantels, these mantels containing about 98%
of pure thorium nitrate.
Figure III THORIUM SERIES Experiment I
Fragment of Welsbach mantel laid on bare photographic plate. Due to the
Becquerel rays of the thorium it photographs itself. Time 72 hours.
Experiment 1: Figure III–I took part of a Welsbach mantel which
had been burning on my gas for some time and placed the same on a bare
photographic plate. The mantel produced its own image in 72 hours,
due to the Becquerel rays contained in the thorium.
Experiment II: A photographic plate was covered with black paper
and the Welsbach mantel was placed on top of the paper, it requiring
seven days for the rays to penetrate the black paper and 14 days to pro-
duce, a strong print. The reason for such a long exposure is due to the
small quantity of thorium in this fragment of the mantel.
Experiment III: Figure IV-A photographic plate was covered with
black paper, a key was placed on top, and the powdered crystals of thor-
ium nitrate were laid around the key. The time 60 hours.
Experiment IV: Crystals of thorium nitrate were placed on a glass
plate suspended one inch above a plate which was covered with black
paper on which lay a key. The time 96 hours.
Experiment V: Crystals of thorium nitrate were placed in an alumi-
num cup, and the cup was then placed on a photographic plate covered

10 Metzenbaum—RADIUM
with black paper. It required four days for the rays to penetrate the
aluminum and paper.
Experiment VI: , Thorium nitrate was placed on top of a plate of
bone of one mm. thickness. The time necessary for the rays to penetrate
was 92 hours.
Figure IV THORIUM SERIES Experiment III
Polar Bear picture. Spread crystals of thorium nitrate around key placed on
plate first covered with black paper. Time 60 hours.
CONCLUSIONS
From these experiments we can conclude that the Becquerel
rays of thorium are capable of affecting photographic plates in the
dark without the aid of sunlight; that they can penetrate black
paper, aluminum, bone and glass, and at a distance of one
inch it requires about twice the length of time it would if it
were only separated from the photographic plate by black paper.
This radioactivity of thorium is most probably due to a minute
quantity of radium, which it contains.
In the investigation of many substances belonging to the same
class as thorium, as to the action on photographic plates in the
dark, I now wish to report two substances, as affecting photo-
graphic plates in the dark, which have hitherto not been reported
as having this property. The first is zirconium nitrate, the second
yttrium.
I think one may almost draw the inference that all of the
other rare substances belonging to this same group similar to
thorium, zirconium and yttrium will show a radioactivity.

Metzenbaum–Radium 11
These substances are used in the manufacture of the Welsbach
mantel, and under the stimulation of the burning gas they emit
their strong light.
-
Figure V ZIRCONIUM SERIES Experiment I
Crystal of zirconium nitrate spread around object, which was laid on photo-
graphic plate first covered with black paper. This is the first picture made showing
zirconium to possess the Becquerel rays. Time 48 hours.
Experiment I: Figure V–I covered a photographic plate with black
paper, spread crystals of zirconium nitrate around the object, and obtained
a very definite outline of the object in 48 hours, showing the rays to have
penetrated the film very deeply.
Experiment II: I placed the crystals of zirconium nitrate on a glass
plate which was suspended one inch above a bare photographic plate on
which a key was placed. After 92 hours there I obtained a very good out-
line of the key. These are the first pictures produced by the Becquerel
rays of zirconium.
Experiment III: The crystals of zirconium nitrate were placed in
an aluminum box and placed the same on a covered photographic plate and
after 72 hours there was a strong picture, showing the rays to have pene-
trated the aluminum and black paper.
In repeated experiments with zirconium it seems to affect a
photographic plate in less time than any preparation of thorium I
have thus far obtained. It is possible that zirconium may even be
shown to be more radioactive than thorium.
Experiment I: A photographic plate was covered with black paper
and crystals of yttrium were spread around the object. It required four
days to affect the photographic plate.
Experiment II: Some yttrium was placed in an aluminum box and
then placed on a covered photographic plate. A definite impression was
obtained after 72 hours.

12 MetzEN BAuM–Radium
RADIUM
The source of radium is from pitchblend or uraninite after
the uranium has been extracted. It comes in hermetically sealed
tubes, for it absorbs moisture readily, in the form of radium car-
bonate in the lower activities, and as radium bromid or chlorid
in the higher activities. Pure radium is practically unknown. It
has a spectrum of its own and Madam Curie determined its
atomic weight as 225. This is the largest atomic weight of any
substance known and, therefore, has a very large molecule. It
has a spectrum of its own. It has thus fulfilled all the require-
ments of an element. It belongs to the group of strontium,
barium and calcium. It is capable of affecting a photographic
plate in the dark at a distance of many inches.
- -
Figure VI RADIUM PICTURE
Suspended tube 15 gr, Radium 40 activity under surface of cigar-box cover. On
bottom of box placed chain on bare photographic plate. Time 24 hours.
In Figure VI the chain was placed on the bare photographic plate,
which was placed on the bottom of the cigar-box and a tube of radium
of 40 activity containing 15 grains was suspended from the under sur-
face of the cigar-box cover. The time was 24 hours.
A tube of radium of 7000 activity containing 20 milligrams was placed
on the brass hook, which lay on a photographic plate covered with black
paper. The time 24 hours. In this case the rays have penetrated the
brass.
The rays of radium of very high activity are capable of pene-
trating very dense bodies. In the dark, when placed back of the

METZENBAUM-RADIUM 13
ordinary fluoroscope screen, there appears a rather bright area.
When placed back of some Willimite it seems as if a light were
placed back of a yellow stained window. When brought near a
diamond in the dark it causes the same to phosphoresce very
brilliantly.
When radium of high activity is placed against the closed
eyelid it gives a very peculiar brilliant light. In the dark, radium
gives out a phosphorescent light which is very similar to that
obtained by rubbing the head of a match with one's fingers
in the dark. If one arises at night after the eyes have been
relaxed for several hours, and if the room be perfectly dark, one
may be able to follow out and read a line of print. Radium emits
enough heat to melt its own weight of ice per hour.
The ability of radium to give out both light and heat for an
indefinite time without apparently losing any of its weight or
power has startled the scientific world, and, as Lord Kelvin said,
“Radium has placed the first question-mark back of the law of
conservation of energy;” for here there is a kind of perpetual
motion, and it is seemingly, as if radium was creating its own
energy. But already several observations point to a solution of
the problem. However, it is true that no known substance is
capable of giving out the same amount of energy without becom-
ing inactive.
First theory: Is that radium has a very large molecule,
since its atomic weight is 225, and that these molecules are con-
tinuously breaking up into smaller particles, namely into ions or
electrons, and it is because of the breaking up of the molecules and
thereby changing its form, that radium emits light and heat.
As bearing on this theory, Prof. Crooks constructed an instru-
ment called the “spinthariscope.” This instrument consists of a
small X-ray or fluoroscopic screen of platino-barium-cyanide, back
of which there is placed a small particle of radium. When you
look through a low-powered microscope on this screen, in the
dark, there can be seen continuous brilliant flashes on various parts
on the screen, which appear very similar to the silvery flashes seen
on the screen during a kinetescopic view. These flashes are inter-
preted as being due to the ions striking up against the screen.
Second theory: This is one in which it is supposed that
radium acts as a transformer and is capable of capturing or absorb-
ing some form of energy and of converting the same into the
ultra-violet light and heat. * -
As bearing on this theory the following may be offered : If
zinc sulphid be exposed to the sunlight it becomes phosphorescent
14 MetzENBAUM-RADIUM
and is capable of affecting a photographic plate in the dark for as
long a period as six weeks.
Second–If calcium sulphid is exposed to the sunlight or after
it is placed near burning magnesia it will affect a photographic
plate in the dark for a long time.
Third—I took some polysulphid of calcium and mixed the
same with some varnish and with this I painted the inside of a
large test-tube. (This is practically known as luminous paint.)
This tube was then exposed to the sunlight which rendered it
phosphorescent, and when taken into the dark it gives out suffici-
ent light so that one can read several lines of a newspaper at
Figure VII
Test tube painted with polysulphid of calcium rendered phosphorescent by
exposure to sunlight, suspended from under surface of cigar-box cover. Bare photo-
graphic plate with objects laid on bottom of box, Time seven days. Double image
due to moving box after three days.
a time. (Fig. v1.1.) This tube was then suspended from the under
surface of a cigar-box cover, and at the bottom of the box was
placed a bare photographic plate on which was laid the three
objects, the distance from the tube to the plate being about two
inches. The box was wrapped up in paper and laid away in a
drawer in the dark-room and remained there for seven days, after
which time a very definite outline of the object was obtained. The
double outline of the objects is due to the fact that the box was
moved on the third day. This tube has been kept constantly in the

METZENBAUM-RADIUM 15
dark for six weeks, after which time it affected the photographic
plate very actively in five days. Thus we see that these two sub-
stances, zinc sulphid and calcium polysulphid, are capable of
absorbing some energy from the sunlight, and calcium sulphid
of absorbing some energy from either the sun's rays or from the
burning magnesia, and that these substances are capable of retain-
ing this energy and of giving the same out slowly for a period of
six weeks, during which time they can affect a photographic plate.
INDUCED RADIOACTIVITY
It has been stated that if a sealed tube containing radium of
high activity be suspended in a normal salt solution, and solutions
containing various drugs, that these solutions become radioactive
and are capable of affecting photographic plates.
It has further been intimated that if radium has a thera-
peutic value, then these solutions, which have been rendered radio-
active might likewise have a therapeutic action, and since solutions
can be taken internally, the possibilities of these radioactive solu-
tions might be of considerable value.
In view of this fact, I conducted a very large series of experi-
ments from which the following negative results have been
obtained: -
- Two tubes of radium of 1,000,000 activity, each containing
5 milligrams, and two other tubes of lesser activity, each contain-
ing 50 milligrams, were placed in a normal salt solution and
remained there for 10 days.
This solution was placed in test-tubes of very thin glass and in
the small vials in which hypodermic tablets are contained. These
were then strapped with adhesive plaster on to the film side of
photographic plates. Some of the plates had first been covered
with black paper. -
These tubes remained from a period of 24 hours up to 21
days, and in no case was there the faintest sign that the photo-
graphic plates had been affected.
It has been known for a long time that aluminum offers very
little resistance to the rays of radium and radioactive substances.
I therefore took many boxes made of very thin aluminum and
filled these with so-called radioactive solutions, and placed them
on photographic plates, first covered with black paper. But in no
instance, even after 10 days, was any image obtained.
Then aluminum boxes were filled with these solutions and
placed on the bare photographic plates, and after 40 to 48 hours
very definite outlines of the boxes wereobtained. Stimulated by this
16 t METZENBAUM-RADIUM
last observation; which I then considered a correct one, as indicat-
ing a result due to the so-called radioactve solutions. I practically
completed a series of 96 experiments, from which I made the fol-
lowing inferences, which would be very pleasing if true, but as I
will soon show, are incorrect. . . -
1. That a normal salt solution becomes radioactive, as proven, by
the outline of an aluminum box containing this solution, when this box
is placed on a bare photographic plate for 40 to 48 hours.
2. A saturated salt solution becomes more radioactive than a nor-
mal salt solution.
3. As the amount of salt in the solution is increased, so is the
induced radioactivity.
4. A tube of 10 milligrams of 1,000,000 activity does not induce a
greater amount of radioactivity into a salt solution, than does a tube of 20
milligrams of 7,000 activity or a tube of 15 grains of 40 activity. From
this it would seem as though a salt solution could be rendered radioactive
to a certain degree only.
5. The radioactivity seemed to be just as great after a tube of
radium was suspended in a salt solution for 10 hours, as it was after the
º radium had been kept in the salt solution continuously for three
WeekS. . . *- -
... 6. That a tube of radium could be placed in some salt and if this
salt were made into solution, it would retain its radioactivity.
7. That this radioactivity is not lost after several weeks.
If all of these inferences had not been overthrown, and if
these radioactive solutions had any therapeutic action, then surely
these results would have been of great value, for it would be
possible to transport these solutions, or to render substances radio-
active, and to apply the same, and again a tube of radium costing
a few dollars would accomplish the same result as a tube costing
$250.00. -
ALUM IN UM -
When these aluminum boxes were placed on the photographic
plate, they only produced an outline of their rim. This I explained
by the fact that they were slightly concave and only affected the
plate at the points of contact. It was also noticed, no matter what
Solutions the boxes contained, that there was always about the
same amount of print for the same length of time. I had also
noticed that distilled water, when submitted to the tube of radium,
produced the same amount of print. This caused me some doubt,
for I believed it to be the solids in the solution which became radio-
active. When aluminum boxes were filled with these salt solu-
tions and empty ones were placed on the reverse side of the photo-
graphic plate, they did not affect the plate after a period of 10
davs.
During the entire series no aluminum box had been used
more than once, for I soon observed that if a box had contained
any of these solutions or any radioactive substance, no matter
how much I cleaned or boiled it, the box still affected the photo-
Metzenbaum–Radium 17
graphic plate; while the steel keys, which had been covered with
the various uranium salts, and thorium, if they were cleaned
thoroughly, would not affect the photographic plate. These boxes
were always kept in a place where I thought them out of the
influence of all radioactive substance.
These observations forced me to seek for an error. This
action of metallic aluminum on the photographic plates I con-
cluded must be sought for in the boxes themselves.
Then several empty boxes were
placed on bare photographic plates
and after 48 hours they gave as
good prints as if they had been filled
with the solutions. I then thought
that somehow they might have been
rendered radioactive. Then some
new boxes were obtained and placed
on bare photographic plates, and
after 48 hours these also affected
the plate, and so did many other
Figure VIII
new boxes.
The next questions which pre-
sented themselves, were:
1. Is the particular product
of aluminum, from which these
An empty aluminum box was
placed on the bare photographic
plate. Time 60 hours. The box is
slightly concave and only gives an
outline of the rim where it touches.
This action is not one due to radio-
activity, but is probably either
chemical or electrical.
boxes are made, radioactive?
2. Is all aluminum radioactive?
* Is this action of aluminum on photographic plates due
to radioactivity, or some other cause?
+. If this action of aluminum on photographic plates is
not due to radioactivity, what then is it due to?
5. What action will aluminum salts have on photographic
plates?
Summary: Many aluminum articles were placed on bare
photographic plates, and in every instance they produced their
own image in 48 to 96 hours.
These same aluminum articles, when placed on photographic
plates covered with black paper, did not produce an effect on the
plate in 10 days.
These same aluminum articles, when placed on the reverse
side of the photographic plate, or when separated from the film by
a plate of glass, did not affect the plate in 10 days.
The summary of the experiment of placing aluminum salts,
of which there are many, on the bare photographic plate, is that
in no instance was the plate at all affected after 10 days.

18 METZENBAUM-RADIUM
The inferences to be drawn are:
1. When metallic aluminum is placed on the bare photo-
graphic plate in the dark, it will produce its own image.
2. That aluminum will not affect a photographic plate
when separated from the film of the plate by black paper, glass, or
when placed on the reverse side of the plate. Therefore, alumi-
num is not radioactive.
This action of metallic aluminum on photographic plates is
probably either a chemical action or an electrical action between
the metal and the albuminate of silver of the plate.
This observation, that metallic aluminum when placed on the
bare photographic plate produces its own image, has heretofore
not been pointed out.
Tubes of radium were placed in various powders, as bismuth
subnitrate, for several days, and then these powders were placed
directly on the film of the plate, and in no instance, even after 10
days, did they show the slightest effect on the plate.
These conclusions give positive proof, that by suspending
tubes of radium of varying strengths for long periods in various
solutions and various powders, that neither the solutions nor the
powders are capable of affecting photographic plates.
Nor was it possible to show the supposed induced radio-
activity by means of an electroscope.
Radium-therapy is a word I chose to suggest some months
ago as signifying the application of the radium rays in the treat-
ment of diseases, in counterdistinction to the word radiotherapy.
which signifies the application of the X-rays in the treatment of
disease.
There has never been a discovery but has been heralded
as a panacea or cure-all, and already the radium rays are supposed
to have accomplished wonders, especially in the cure of cancers
and consumption. I have canvassed the subject thoroughly, col-
lected all the published literature from medical magazines to date,
and written to many who have reported cases of cure, and I must
say that, up to the present time, there are but few cases reported .
by thoroughly reliable observers, wherein the radium rays have
shown a beneficial action. Furthermore, it is far too early to
draw any inferences, though it does seem as if these rays do exert
some influence in lupus and epithelioma, but, in cases of deep-
seated cancer, it is not possible to apply the rays without affecting
all of the tissues, through which the rays must pass.
It has been proclaimed that the radium rays are life-giving.
Now my inferences are quite the opposite, namely, that it is a
METZENBAUM-RADIUM 19
death-producing agent to all living cells, either animal or plant, if
applied in sufficient strength and for a long enough time, and its
value in medicine is the hope that it may destroy the life of
simpler cells of germs or of cancer before destroying the healthy
cells of the body, thus leaving the healthy body-cells to regain
themselves.
That healthy cells of the body may be destroyed is proven
by the already frequent observations that when radium is applied
to the healthy skin for a considerable length of time, it will pro-
duce an irritation, which may result in an ulcer requiring months to
heal. I have seen such a scar in a physician, who had placed a
tube of radium in an aluminum box and fastened the same to
his forearm for three hours. The experiment was made over
two years ago, and at the present time there remains a red
irritated area, on which the hair no longer grows, and in many
respects it acts like some vaccination scars.
There are some reliable reports showing that radium has
retarded certain growths of bacteria. Prof. Curie introduced
a few milligrams of radium under the skin of a mouse near the
vertebral column and it produced death by paralysis in three
hours. He also placed tubes of radium of high activity on the
backs of guinea-pigs, which were either paralyzed or died of
paralysis in a few hours. This seems to indicate that the radium
rays have an action on the nerves.
The obtaining of definite knowledge as to the therapeutic
effect of radium will be very slow in forthcoming owing to the
present rarity of the element and the great cost of the same, and
the time which must necessarily elapse before a malignant growth
can be pronounced as cured. --
It was thought that radium might be used similar to the
X-rays in obtaining skiagraphs of the bones, but the rays of radium
penetrate the bone quite as easily as they do the flesh, and it
requires at least 24 hours, using a tube of radium of high activity,
to obtain an outline of the bones, during which time the rays will
have caused a very severe irritation of the exposed area.
Thorium, being a very radioactive substance, might have
some value in either medicine or surgery, for it is a nice, clean,
white, stable chemical, and it is possible that it might be added
to our list of drugs.
The toxicity of this substance, as determined on animals, as
well as the clinical findings of the same, with those of radium, will
be published later.
As this article goes to print, I wish to state briefly the his-
20 METzENBAUM-RADIUM
tory of a case of lupus which I am treating with radium and which
seems to be healing.
Mrs D , age 57, had a beginning lupus 16 months ago.
Under the applications of the X-rays it improved. Then the eye
itself became involved to such an extent that it was necessary to
remove it eight months ago. While the wound from the operation .
was healing the X-rays had to be discontinued for a period of six
weeks, during which time the disease spread. Further application
of the X-rays caused the center to heal, while the ulcerated area
spread at the periphery.
The patient was referred to me April 7. At this time there
was a round healed area 2% centimeters in diameter. Around
this was an ulcerated rim varying in width from one to one and a
half centimeters and extending from the outer corner of the eye
to within 2% centimeters of the ear and well down on the cheek.
The entire area was deeply congested. -
I applied a tube of radium of 7000 activity and two tubes of
40 activity, for 35 minutes every three days. After the second
treatment much of the congestion disappeared and the edges, as
well as the base, took on a better appearance, and much of the
deep-seated pain had left. º
The improvement was very rapid, and now after 21 days
there is a new, healthy looking skin covering the entire ulcer-
ated area excepting a few small places. The internal pain has
left entirely, and nearly all the congestion has disappeared.
This case may be considered as practically healed, but many
months must elapse in order to see whether the deep-seated germs.
will not assert themselves again, before the case can be pronounced
as cured. -
1220 Willson. A ven we
NotE—The author earnestly solicits all monographs and articles on
this subject and will appreciate any that may be received.
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