Technical Methods in Radium Therapy 239 



not only of the nature of malignant growths, but of their indi- 

 vidual reactions to irradiation, should be the basis of the scientific 

 method. 



A few words may be said about technical methods in radium 

 therapy other than in malignant disease. One of the most suc- 

 cessful applications is in the treatment of uterine hemorrhage, 

 and it is somewhat remarkable that, in spite of the generally 

 good results obtained, there is a considerable difference in the 

 dose employed at different clinics. Early in the study of this 

 condition, it was found that the dose required to bring about 

 a cessation of the dominant symptoms varied with the age of 

 the patient. The following quotation is taken from Elizabeth 

 Hurdon, Cancer of ilie Uterus (London, 1942). 



"The treatment of simple metropathic hemorrhage depends partly 

 upon the age of the patient, but the severity of the anemia due to 

 hemorrhage, and the presence of myomata, have also to be con- 

 sidered. The cases are divided into three groups in relation to the 

 age incidence and the reproductive function: 



Group I Adolescent cases — patients under 20 years of 



age. 

 Group II Child-bearing period — patients from 20 to 40 years 



of age. 

 Group III Includes the menopausal, 40 to 50 years of age, and 



post-menopausal cases. 



Typical doses for each age group are as follows : 



Group III 1,100 to 1,200 mg hr 

 Screenage is 1 mm platinum and 1.5 mm rubber." 



It will be seen that the biggest dose found necessary in the 

 treatment of this condition is 1,200 milligram hours (50 milli- 

 grams for 24 hours), yet there are many British workers who 

 consider that treatment is not adequate with less than 48 hours' 



