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21
MALIGNANT DISEASES.
Cancer continues to take its heavy toll. As this is a disease, or
group of diseases, that principally attacks persons beyond middle life,
reduction in the death rate from diseases of malignant type is not to
be expected, unless research can show some means of cure that has not
hitherto been widely applied.
Cure mainly depends upon the early date at which the nature of
the disease is discovered and the thorough removal, by surgical means,
of the growth and neighbouring tissues involved.
Recent investigations have shown that by the application of Radium,
there is greater hope of recovery, without mutilation. The knowledge
of its properties and the means of estimating the dosage of its emanations
are being acquired, so that safety in its application may be assured.
Notwithstanding this hope, the greatest expectation of recovery must
be with those who come earliest under treatment. It is of the utmost
importance that there shall be no delay in seeking medical or surgical
skill by those who show signs or symptoms that may be attributable to
malignancy. Therein lies their greatest safety.
The following table gives particulars of the deaths from Malignant
Growths.