The old methods of treating cancer compared with the new / by John Pattison.

  • Pattison, John
Date:
[1857]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The old methods of treating cancer compared with the new / by John Pattison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    18 supposed curcj Avill not be permanent^ but I know tliat these un- fortunate eipht cases will soon find themselves in a worse state than they were before.* llegarding the fate of the remaining six hundred and forty-two^ the surgeons give us no information^ but Ave are left to iraagiue their sufferings after enduring either the knifcj the blue vitrol and borax, the per-manganate of potassa, the oil and lead, and last not least the agony produced by the irritating dragging carrot poultices. Chlorate of been told that in this hospital they use Potassa. preparation of chlorate of potassa. “ If after a cancerous tumour has separated, you have an indolent granulating surface covered with an unhealthy fetid discharge, a lotion of chlorate of potass is often very useful, of the strength of five to ten grains to the ounce of Avater. Mr. Weedon Cooke adds a little liydro- cholric acid to this, and he believes with advantage.”-}- In all my experience (and certainly after sixteen years constant practice I without egotism can lay claim to a little, and Avhich ought to have some weight) I have never knoAvn a single case where a cancerous tumour has been properly enucleated, in Avhicli there was an indolent granulating surface covered Avith au unhealthy fetid discharge. If the disease had been thoroughly removed, this condition Avould not have existed, and the patient ought to be spared all such unnecessary and painful applications. Indeed Avhere this disease is properly treated, tliere is no indolent ulcei’j 110 fetor, only a liealtlry gi-anulating surface discharging healthy pus. If such a state of disease is frequently found at the Cancer Hospi^ tal, it clearly proves that these cases have not been properly treated* The continued pressure of a cancerous tumour iu hopes of producing its absorption and cure, Avas first intro- duced iu ] 809, by Mr. Samuel Young. It Avas fairly tried in the Middlesex Hospital many years ago, Avhen Sir Charles Hell reported against its use, admitting, hoAvever, that iu some feAv cases it alleviated pain. * Several of llicm have since been under ni}’ care, Pressure.