Letter from Dr. Gendreau to Prime Minister Taschereau

Excerpt from a letter from Doctor Gendreau addressed to the Prime Minister of Québec Louis-Alexandre Taschereau in order to convince him to invest in the establishment of a Radium Institute:

To the Honourable L. A. Taschereau, Premier of the Province of Québec

Mr. Premier,

Allow me to dispel the doubts you have expressed in your kind response, dated January 30, 1922.

I will explain here the reasons that led me this year to renew my previous request for a radium laboratory.

The need for research laboratories is well known worldwide, and is all the more vital in a country that is poor.

Less evident is the fact that a radium laboratory would be a relevant starting point. I suggested this chiefly because:

1. All the assets invested in this experiment would be recoverable, and would remain the property of the government. This is still undisputed.
2. Because in this field, more than in any other perhaps, results would be of considerable scientific and economic importance. “Learning to control the power of radium will no doubt usher in a new era for humanity.” Prof. Soddy, Oxford. The Ontario government will give a subsidy of twenty-five to fifty thousand dollars for the discovery of exploitable radium ore.
   
3. Because if radium itself can be used in research for a future gain, its emanations can be harnessed right now by our hospitals who are sadly devoid (for the treatment of cancer, tuberculosis, fibroma, goiter, etc.). […] 

Even if a specific curative agent is not yet well known, we still have a duty to use all the means at our disposal to contain the disease. Radium’s efficacy, however, has been recognized by all experienced physicians, with many ranking it as the most promising curative agent.

I am not speaking here about those who have never used radium, nor studied cases in which radium was used in science, nor those who, having read about an accident caused by a technical error, only see the dangers in the process.

I have collected the testimonials from the heads of the great radium institutes in Paris, London and New York; from professors of major universities, department heads of specialized hospitals, the American Bureau of Hygiene, as well as many other practitioners. […]

Personally, I can report favorable testimonies from researchers at the Paris and London radium institutes, whom I consider to be the highest scientific authority in the matter.

4. Some results obtained have led most major governments and cities to spare no expense creating their own radium institutes. Even the city of Toronto has followed suit. As a matter of fact, during their conference in Québec City last year, our doctors have applauded the official delegate of the French government for launching their project. They have even resolved to make the issue of cancer the theme of their 1922 conference. 

Most medical authorities I know approve this foundation, especially the deans of both of our French-Canadian faculties of medicine. Dr. Rousseau started taking special steps with you in the matter last year, and Dr. Harwood was telling me last night that he would be willing to go to Québec City himself and hand you his recommendation in person. 

I sincerely hope, Mr. Premier, that you will welcome my insistence. 

Please accept the assurance of my deepest consideration. 

<Gendreau’s signature>

Professor of Physics at the Faculty of Science, Director of Studies at the Faculty of Medicine

Montréal, February 3, 1922