The infectivity of cancer : a retrospect and a forecast / by D'Arcy Power.

  • D'Arcy Power
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The infectivity of cancer : a retrospect and a forecast / by D'Arcy Power. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    8/8 (page 8)
    cancer, the inquiries being in|ide in reference to the collateral aa well aa to the lineal decent. A vague statement that Buch' and such a relative died of cancer is insufficient; the exact variety of cancer shou]!^ be ascertained, the duration of the disease, and if possible'sthe seat of the primary growth and of the secondary deposits; in women, too, it should be noted whether pregnancy has any bearing upon its com- mencement or upon its progress. The family diathesis on the parents' side is easily noted in a single word. The occurrence of such innocent tumours as wens, warts, and fibromata in other members of the family is also ascertained without difficulty, and when they occur, the ages at which they grew and the position which they occupied should also be recorded. It is still an open question whether gout, rheu- matism, and other manifestations of an arthritic diathesis are in any way associated with cancer, and there are some who maintain that in a community where flesh is sparingly con- sumed the largest meat eaters are the most likely to be afifected with cancer. It would therefore be well to consider these points. Those who reside in districts where cancer is especially frequent should bear in mind the work done by Haviland, and should ascertain in each house where cancer has occurred whether the soil is water-logged either generally as a result of floods, or locally from damp and wet cellars. All local outbreaks of cancer should be examined as to their cause in the manner usually adopted to ascertain the source of any of the more common epidemic diseases, and an endeavour should be made to ascertain what factor in the life or surroundings is common to each of the persons affected. It might be well also for those who are interested in the subject to tabulate the domestic remedies recommended and used for the cure of cancer, as their number is undoubtedly very numerous. An infusion of the common dead nettle taken to the extent of half a pint a day, and also used as an enema, has been recently and strongly recommended to me as an infallible cure for encephaloid cancer of the rectum, and its good results have been pointed out in an individual case. It is interesting as a piece of folk-lore, but it is otherwise useless. Lastly, we require more information as to the frequency with which cancer occurs in those countries where women are secluded, and this can readily be obtained for us by those newly admitted members of our Association who are privileged to enter the zenanas and harems of the world.