The Radium Institute, after two years of existence, was open
to a small number of visitors on Thursday. Sir Frederick Treves described the results of radium treatment, and although no cure can be considered final until it has been under observa- tion for a much longer period than the existence of the Institute has yet rendered possible, enough is known to raise high hopes. Some of the statements made by Sir Frederick Treves were very remarkable. In forty per cent. of the cases of rheu- matism there had been marked improvement, and in thirty per cent. a lesser degree of improvement. One woman who had been unable to walk without crutches went through a course of drinking water charged with radium emanations, and after two periods of this treatment, each lasting six weeks, was able to walk long distances without crutches. Another woman who had been unable to dress or even feed herself was now earning her living with a sewing machine. The Institute has proved that a radium emanation is as potent as a piece of radium itself. Emanations, bottled, so to speak, at the Institute, are being sent to various parts of the country for the treat- ment of patients. In the case of cancer Sir Frederick Trevea spoke very properly with caution, but there is no doubt that the "apparent cures" which he mentioned justify a good deal of hope.
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