organic radium

[buggernuts]

Round about 1914, a Mrs Maud Dickinson who lived in Brighton, discovered some crystals which seemed to have the same or at least similar properties to radium. This she called "Radioleum" or "organic radium". Apart from a book by Frank Hotblack which was published in 1920, nothing seems to have been written about this substance. Can anybody tell me what it was, and if it was so marvellous, why is it not in use today?
She also ran a company called Dongor Hygienic Co. Ltd. Does anyone know anything about Mrs Dickinson or her company?

[theprof]

Here's the link:

http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0952-4746/16/3/ 001

[buggernuts]

Thanks prof. However, I have seen this link & have the book by Hotblack that he mentions, but unfortunately, no one seems to know anything further. I have even corresponded with the author of the article you mention, and he has no other information, hence my query. As you have probably discovered, Google is not much help.

[chakka35]

Come off it, **********. The link clearly shows that it's all nonsense.

[chakka35]

Odd that the AB system has censored your name! How come you can use it to ask a question but I can'y to reply?

[buggernuts]

I suggest you read the book before you say it's all nonsense. You may be able to find it by inter-library loan via your local library, or if your'e extremely lucky from a secondhand book dealers.

[hildebrand]

Were you the gentleman I heard on Radio 4 a few minutes ago? If not, you might be interested in the programme. You can get it at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/homeplanet .shtml . What is the origin of your enquiry? Why so passionately interested about another Victorian (oh, all right, neoGeorgian) fraud?

[buggernuts]

Quite right Hildebrand. My interest in Maud Dickinson stems from the fact that I am very interested in local history and I happened to come accross her whilst reading some copies of the Brighton Natural History Society Transactions. I don't think you can write her off as a fraud especially if you read Hotblack's book, and I'm not sure that she had made cinnebar crystals as suggested in the programme, as she submitted these to several prominent chemists for their opinion and they were at a loss. In addition, mercuric compounds are poisonous and she used these things for baking bread, purifying water etc.
Many thanks for your interest.

[dugden]

Hi
I have some info - do you still want answers?