Physical Aspects of Radium and Radon Therapy

Preparation of this booklet was instituted by the Health Department of the Commonwealth of Australia, under the direction of C. E. Eddy and T. H. Oddie. Its primary purpose in the general campaign against cancer is to provide certain practical physical data which are necessary for effective radium and radon therapy. The booklet contains a cursory review of the physical nature of radioactivity with specific reference, of course, to the radium series. The important characteristics of the products of decay of radium are well outlined, and included are valuable tables presenting the decay of radon and the rise of radium B, radium C and gamma ray activity. A portion of the publication is devoted to detailed description of radium and radon containers with which the commonwealth health department is provided. This obviates a number of errors which might arise, facilitates the handling and care of the radium and radon applicators,