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R a d i u m 195
due to x-ray, sunlight or other causes promoting degeneration. If radium
can cure keratoses and early cutaneous epithelioma the result of actinic
rays, one may assume that it may be equally efficacious in similar lesions
caused by the results of x-ray exposures.
On account of the peculiar a;rophy resulting from radiodermatitis,
a note of warning should be given with reference to the treatment of
accompanying keratoses. Soft beta rays ami small dosage should be
given, on an average about two-thirds the amount that would be used
in an ordinary senile keratosis.
As clavi and callosities consist mainly of epidermic thickening they
can usually be removed bv soft beta rays.
Because of their papillomatous nature and the discomfort and inconveniences
they cause, verrucae are frequently an affection of importance.
Plantar warts in particular often occasion pain and impediment
to walking. Radium serves as a very successful agent in removing
all varieties of warts. Small filiform warts and multiple flat warts,
however, are belter destroyed by electro-dessication for. by this method.
many lesions may be removed at one sitting.
As an antipruritic remedy radium has been used with some success
in localizing itching of the anus and vulva. In such local pruritus
radium has a similar effect to x-rays, but with the disadvantage that
affected areas cannot be as completely radiated as by the latter except
at the expense of considerable time.
It is worth while to mention the use of radium for the removal of
superfluous hair only in order to condemn it. The possibility of producing
atrophy and telangiectasia of the skin is scarcely justifiable for
a condition of purely cosmetic importance. Better results, without danger,
can be accomplished by electrolysis in the hands of a skillful operator.
Although the chief interest of radium therapy of the skin is in the
treatment of malignant disease, nevertheless it possesses a field of usefulness
in other dermatoses which has gradually developed to a point of
importance.
Radium therapy of the skin demands two essential qualifications:
first, the training of a dermatologist: second, special training in the technique
of radium as applied to the skin.
REFERENCES
Colweix and Ri;ss: Radium. X-rays and the Living Cell.
Wickham and Deorais: Presse Medicate, 1006.
MacKee, G. M.: X-ray and Radium.
Dominici and Bapcat: Compt. Rend. Soc. de Biol., 1908.
Hai.kin. H.: Archiv. fur Derm, und Syph.. Ixv, 201.
Simpson, F. K.: Radium Therapy.
Ahbe. Robert: Med. Rec. N. Y., lxxxviii. 215.
Orhsiiy: Diseases of the Skin.
Sutton : Diseases of the Skin.
Tousey, S.: Jour. Am. Med. Assoc, Ixiv. 1394.
Foerstf.r, O. H.: Archives of Derm, and Syph., Jan., 1924, p. 38.