In the early 20th century, there was a bizarre health fad where people consumed or applied radioactive materials on their skin. One victim of this dangerous trend was Eben Byers, a wealthy businessman and golfer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His story, which has gained attention from scientists once again, serves as a cautionary tale.
Born on October 12, 1830, to a prosperous family, Mr. Byers went on to graduate from Yale University and work for his father’s steel mill, eventually becoming the vice president. Alongside his successful career, he was also an avid athlete, participating in golf and polo.
However, in 1927, Mr. Byers suffered an arm injury after falling off a bed on a train. This injury hindered his ability to participate in athletic events. Seeking relief from the pain, his doctor prescribed him a drink called Radithor, which was essentially water diluted with radium. Believing it would help, Mr. Byers became hooked on the drink, consuming several bottles a day. He even started giving Radithor as gifts to his friends.
Radium, discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898, emits an eerie blue-green glow in the dark and can provide light for years without an apparent power source. Despite warnings from Marie Curie herself about the unknown effects of radiation on the human body, the trend of using radioactive materials as a health remedy continued.
As a result of his excessive consumption of Radithor, Mr. Byers experienced weight loss, severe headaches, and bone necrosis in his jaw, leading to the loss of several teeth. He deteriorated rapidly, but his doctor denied any connection between Radithor and his condition.
The shocking nature of Mr. Byers’ story caught the attention of the media, with The Wall Street Journal commemorating his death with the headline, “The Radium Water Worked Fine Until His Jaw Came Off.” This headline contributed to the story becoming one of the most widely read and discussed of its time, appearing in numerous research outlets.
Although an investigation was launched into false and misleading advertising, Mr. Byers’ doctor dismissed any blame on Radithor for his death. Nonetheless, his tragic experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of blindly following health fads without scientific evidence or understanding.
