The alchemy-like power of Radium created the powerful, mysterious mineral equals healing myth, as applied to dangerous radioactive materials. This was coupled with the spa water trend which was more popular, at the time, with fascists rather than liberals to create the really, really bad idea of putting radioactive elements in drinking water. Radioactivity could actually cure cancer, but only if you already had it. If you ever want to win an argument against people who argue that alternative medicine shouldn’t be subject to the rigors of science, this is the product to pick.