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81
[1902
Unfortunately the many sources of irritation, especially of the internal organs,
can only be prevented if we remove early enough the condition which we
know may in course of time lead to the development of malignant growth.
Nearly every form of benign tissue hyperplasia* if exposed to constant
irritation pass over into cancer, though the exact time when the change
began cannot be fixed on. Scars are a favourable soil for malignant tumours,
as are also, according to Rappock, warts, who found that out of 399 cases of
Cancer of the Skin, 182 arose from them.
For these reasons the writers (Professor A. Hoffa, of Wurzburg, and
Dr. A. Lilienfeld) go on to say, "We must advise the removal of benign
tumours, especially those which show when the very least tendency to
increased growth, or which are situated in places where they are exposed to
constant irritation. We must warn against the scratching of warts, and
against cutting them with septic knives, and should see that sharp pieces of
teeth and bad teeth are removed. In chronic states of irritation of the mucous
membranes we must forbid smoking and chewing tobacco, and above all the
abuse of alcohol, which experience has shown us gives rise to carcinoma of
the sesophagus and of the stomach.
" We must point out the dangers of the pressure by corsets, which are a
cause of mammary cancer and of destruction in the portal circulation, and
may tend to the formation of gall stones, the casual significance of which in
the development of malignant tumours has been mentioned above....
An endeavour should also be made to heal old ulcers of the leg, which often
afford a favourable opportunity for the development of carcinoma."
There are some factors in the causation of the disease as described by
these recent German writers. They, however, add nothing to our knowledge
of the real cause of cancer, although they point out certain prophylaxist which
it would be well to always keep in mind; and none more to heart than by
women, to avoid the irritation and the pressure of corsets on the breasts.
There is no part of the female body which is more frequently attacked, and
none which moderate care might more readily protect.
A cure for this disease still evades the most anxious research of the
medical profession, and consequently the operating knife remains master of
the field, and a very indifferent master too, as may be judged by the large
number of Cancers that recur after the tumour has been apparently extirpated.
When the discovery has been made of its true cause, as it doubtless
some day will, and possibly before the lapse of a long time, then we
may reasonably look forward to remedies other than its so-called radical cure
by operation.
* Excessive conformation. † Precautionary measures.