Radium Bromide (ca. 1960)

These homeopathic triturations containing radium bromide powder were distributed from a pharmacy in Pennsylvania in the 1960s. The "6X" on one bottle, the "8X" on another, and the "18X" on the third indicate the dilution factors of the radium bromide. Note the lead foil on the bottle to the right—that thickness of lead would do next to nothing to reduce the exposure rates associated with radium.

Sizes: (left to right) ca. 4 1/2" high, 8" high and 5 1/2" high

Exposure rates: Nothing detectable at one foot, but the two small bottles show approximately 4 uR/hr above background at two inches or so

Donated by the FDA, courtesy of Don Thompson and Ed Tupin, and by Joel Lubenau.