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the gradual establishment of cachexia, i.e., an appearance of characteristic
pallor and exhaustion resulting from saturation of the system with
the toxins of the microbe causing the disease. The sites in which
cancer usually appears are easily assailable by infective germs. Fiftyfive
per cent. are in the alimentary canal and probably result from the
ingestion of the infection. Long continued irritation leads to a breech
in continuity of tissue, thereby admitting the parasite. In the middle
aged and the old, where the tissues are undergoing degeneration and the
resisting powers are reduced, the infection more readily gains a footing.
The cancer cell or a germ—which? If a cancer cell is the cause
of cancer, then how came it to be there? That is what we think of
when we look upon a cancerous tumour. We must go further back
than the cancer cell. Some other reflections seem to strengthen the
germ theory. Dr. Brand has marshalled these very convincingly to my
mind, in his book. Take auto inocculation. Ebert has collected 23
cases of contact cancer, such as hp to lip, tongue to gum, etc., and
mentions the case of a woman who inoculated the cornea of her eye
from a cancer on the back of her hand. There are many cases of
cancer a deux on record, the most significant in support of the germ
theory being those described by Tross and Guelliott. Dr. Brand's case
will appeal to the Deptford Borough Council as, with other cases
mentioned below, this will raise the question of notification, enquiry
and disinfection.
A woman developed cancer of the breast and was nursed faithfully
until her death by a healthy woman, aged 46. The latter developed
cancer of the stomach and died from it within twelve months of the
death of the woman she had nursed. "This nurse was practically in
constant attendance upon the case of mammary cancer and, not being
a particularly clean person, it is more than probable that she had eaten
her food with hands unwashed after dressing the ulcerated sore or
handling the soiled dressings."
Accidental Inoculation.
A London Hospital surgeon developed cancer of the tongue after
having accidentally got into his mouth some of the discharge from a
cancerous breast. There are other cases.
Experimental Inoculation.
Cancer has been successfully inoculated experimentally, chiefly
however in the lower animals.