The latest phase of the trypsin treatment of cancer / [J.A. Shaw-Mackenzie].

  • Shaw-Mackenzie, John A. (John Alexander), 1857-1933.
Date:
[1907]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The latest phase of the trypsin treatment of cancer / [J.A. Shaw-Mackenzie]. 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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    Reprinted, from The Medical Tress and Circular, 27th, 1907. ■A \ CD THE LATEST PHASE OF THE TRYPSIN TREATMENT OF CANCER. To the Editor of The Medical Press and Circular Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a book pub- lished by Dr. C. W. Saleeby entitled “ The Conquest of Cancer.” I feel bound to take some notice of this publication by reason of the fact that certain misrepresentations distributed throughout the book have been made in regard to my introduction of the method of treatment of inoperable cancer by trypsin, and the considera- tions which led me to it. This is a book which purports to inform the public respecting the views now held by the scientific workers of the profession as to the present position of the cancer question, and the method adopted by the author of carrying out this design is that of abusing everyone who does not happen to agree with himself or Dr. Beard. I do not deem it necessary to re-discuss the question of priority so far as the introduction of the trypsin treatment of cancer is concerned, inasmuch as my claims have been recognised by independent observers in the scientific Press of this country (vide Nature, January ioth, 1907). But Dr. Saleeby would have his readers believe that Dr. Beard first suggested the treatment, and that I only employed or advocated it. After referring to a paper read by the latter in Edinburgh on December 13th, 1904, an abstract of which was printed in tho Lancet of February 4th, 1905, he goes on to ray:—“Only a few weeks after Dr. Beard’s lecture, Dr. Shaw- Mackenzie began the hypodermic use of trypsin in cancer, and to him undoubtedly must be awarded the credit of being the first physician to employ the new treatment. . . . My purpose is to illustrate the conditions under which discoveries are made, and I will here quote from a private letter of Dr. Beard to