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in the early stages, and many in deeper structures. The folly
of attending at a chemist for a year (as in a recent case)
in fact, till the case was inoperable, need only be mentioned
to be condemned. To waste time, as occurs so frequently,
by using quack nostrums is certainly suicidal.
The time has long gone by when the mention of the
subject of Cancer was taboo, we must look facts in the face in
these matters and banish ignorant prejudice.
At the invitation of the British Empire Cancer Campaign
I gave a number of short addresses to Women's Institutes and
Co-operative Societies last year all round this part of Middlesex
and have been astonished at the keenness and the desire
for further knowledge displayed by the members of these
societies.
There is no doubt of the value of the good research
work of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. They are
co-ordinating the details of the fight against cancer all over
the world, to prevent overlapping. In one laboratory in
England cancer has been produced in rats and mice and they
have been cured and rendered immune by a new special
serum.
It is alleged that experiments are now sanctioned on hopeless
human cases, but, so far, the results, though encouraging,
are not final. We may be within sight of a cure for cancer,
or it may still be a few years distant. In the meantime every
encouragement should be given to those engaged in this beneficient
work, especially as all research investigations are very
costly.
It is known now, from investigations by the Ministry of
Health, that cancer is not in the ordinary sense infectious
or contagious; is not necessarily incidental to middle life—
in fact is more prevalent later on; is not produced by any form
of food or diet per se, but can be induced by all forms of
chronic irritation such as septic, jagged teeth, clay pipe,
chronic sores and wounds, warts, discharges, constipation,
etc. It is not believed that one county or one locality is
more affected than another.
DESTRUCTION OF RATS.
The Middlesex County Council are the Authority under
the Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919, and all complaints
received in this connection are referred to that authority.
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