Thorium

THORIUM, chemical symbol Th, occupies the 90th place in the periodic system (group IV). Thorium is extracted from monazite sands, where it is contained alongside uranium and radium. Like the latter, it decays into a series of radioactive elements, such as mesothorium I, II, radiothorium, thorium-X, emanation, and others. Their atomic weights are: Th-232.4; mesothorium II-228.4; radiothorium-228.4; thorium-X-224.4; emanation-220.4; all these elements emit alpha rays, with the exception of mesothorium II, which emits beta and gamma rays; the latter, similar to the same rays of radium, have very little effect on enzymes, and just as weak an effect on bacteria. The effect of mesothorium on the skin, eyes, and cancer cells is very significant and only slightly weaker than that of radium. It is used, like radium preparations, in the form of tubes with salt, injections of insoluble salts, compresses, etc. Mesothorium is obtained during the manufacture of Auer gas burners as a by-product, therefore it is cheaper and more accessible. Among thorium preparations, one should note: thorium oxide as a very intensive contrast agent for X-ray examinations; it is used in a mixture with white clay (1:3 or 1:4) in an aqueous suspension; the dose of thorium oxide internally or in the form of an enema for children 12 years old is 10-15.0, for adults-20-30.0. Thorium oxide is non-toxic. A colloidal solution of thorium dioxide - see Thorotrast. Thorium nitrate - for inhalations in laryngeal tuberculosis; for parasitic skin diseases in the form of a 25% paste. Thorium emanation is obtained from thorium-X or radiothorium in the form of a solution in ampoules; usually, ampoules containing no less than 1 million Mache units are used. Thorium-X affects enzymes and blood circulation, damaging the adrenal glands and reducing the number of leukocytes; large doses (in animals) caused rarefaction of the splenic pulp and decay of cells in the bone marrow. Under the influence of thorium-X injections, heart activity is weakened, and blood pressure decreases. Internally, thorium-X is used for sciatica and articular rheumatism. In pernicious anemia, it is used intravenously in small doses (up to ten thousand units); its effect is expressed in an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin. Intramuscularly, thorium-X is prescribed for tumors; for skin diseases, especially psoriasis, it is used in the form of compresses, sometimes with brilliant success. For the treatment of (malignant) tumors, thorium-X is also used in the form of thin rods, which are inserted for a prolonged time into the tumor tissue; the dose for malignant tumors is 0.5 millicurie. These same thorium rods are used with success for the treatment of fistulas. The thorium-X preparation - doramad (Thorium-X-doramad) - represents a decay product of radiothorium that emits X-rays; the preparation is used internally and intravenously for migraine and leukemia.