Radium Treatment

Abstract

SIR LEONARD HILL writes, in NATURE of January 27, with reference to radium treatment and expresses a belief that "we would be little the worse off if all the radium now buried in deep holes for security from bombing remained there. . ." This pessimism contrasts notably with the enlightened optimism of the article, in the same issue, written by Dr. John H. Lawrence, of the University of California, who is working with great opportunities at present lacking in Great Britain. Lawrence and his co-workers are pursuing "the possibilities of artificial radioactivity and neutron rays in cancer therapy until a more satisfactory answer to this problem has been reached". What we require in Great Britain is a well-organized radiological institute where the various possibilities of radiation can be developed and extended. It had always been my hope and ambition that such an institute would be founded as a memorial to Lord Rutherford, who was always wide awake as to the possibilities of radiotherapy and the proper means by which they could be furthered or achieved.