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that some chemical substances largely influence the formation of cells. For instance, cloride of zinc.

Our old time friend, Surgeon Purcell, of Brompton Cancer Hospital, who has had the best opportunities to obtain most useful knowl edge pertaining to the general treatment of cancer, and who probably has made the most commendable use of the same, of any man living, or perhaps who ever lived, has found, as has been proved a thousand times, that cloride of zinc exerts an influence on the character of cicatrix formed-even in connection with cancer-under its influence, which renders the tissue so far from the peculiarities of cancer tissue as to be, as it were, a resistive wall, or under some conditions as a firm island in an ocean of disease, which for a long time resists the onset of the destroying tide, while cicatrix formed in the same tissues under other influences generally take on the vascular form which is well known to be exceedingly liable to become infiltrated and break down in cancerous ulceration, and this influence accounts for the fact that cloride of zinc is the best yet known application for can.

cer.

It is a matter of knowledge that citric acid destroys life in man by acting as an irritant of the gastro intestinal mucous membrane; it is generally conceded that irritation causes the infiltration and various other phenomena of cancer in constitutions prepared for its ravages. It is also well known that oxalic acid causes a destruction of the mucous membrane of the stomach and other mucous surfaces and a breaking down or softening of the inner coat of the stomach. It is thus evident that a milder solution would change cell formation in a greater or less degree.

It is also a well known fact that the tomato, so very largely used as a food-nearly as an entire meal frequently with some personssince cancer has been so fearfully on the increase, contains large quantities of both these acids, as high as ten grains to four quarts of tomato juice, as shown in the American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. 43.

The

A noted physician in western New York died a few years ago from disease of the stomach who expressed a conviction that tomatoes caused the disease in his case. Post mortem examination proved that his affliction was cancer. writer and many others have noticed similar cases where such impressions prevailed, and why not? It is the prevalent belief of our best authors that irritation causes the developement of cancer in persons prepared for it; the tomato contains large quantities of citric acid which destroys life by irritation, as also does the green

stock of rhubarb or pie plant.

Also each con

tains large quantities of oxalic acid, which destroys the mucous membrane of the stomach and converts the inner coating to a soft pulpy mass like some other caustics. Why should they not, in weaker solutions, exert such influence over cell formation or cells? For instance, especially where an ulcer or cicatrizing wounds exists.

Let all physicians who have noticed facts on this subject of food do humanity the kindness to report them at once through the journals, that, as soon as may be, the ravages of this fearful Scourge may be checked.

Let those who tell us what cancer is, be called great; let those who cure it, be called greater; let him who demonstrates to us the real cause and prevention, be called greatest; let all try to speed the day.

But, fortunately, there are some facts of more or less value settled in the minds of the most able investigators, of which it would seem to be of great importance that all people should be informed.

First. Experience has amply shown that cancer is not contagious, so no one need suffer for want of care on account of fear of contagion

Second. It seems sufficiently evident that the smoker more often suffers with cancer of the upper digestive organs than any other class or people.

Third. That a bruise of a gland of the breast, as by leaning against a piece of furniture or other hard substance, often causes cancer of the breast; also, the womb often suffers from cancer manifestly from injury; these are very important facts, as the knowledge of them might often prevent cancer by causing people to avoid the danger. There is an important question, on account of its general application, which requires a careful study, and that is that a good ground of belief exists that the acid juice of the tomato and pie plant, when eater freely, exert an influence on the protoplasm or the production of cells or on the cells themselves, especially when new without walls, which predisposes to that condition which leaves them liable to take on the changed conditions we find in cancer, and, further, whether those acids may not influence recently matured cell and tissues thus injuriously.

One acid present is an irritant and the other a caustic, and manifestly may exert an influence to cause the cells to break down in that exuberant destruction we call cancer, especially on mucous surfaces, as of the digestive organs and bladder. in both of which cancer is fearfully frequent. May they not exert an influence on cell formation or even mature cells, especially new ones without walls? More especially emi

cer originally contains no cell peculiarly its

own.

Prof. Dunn's ipse dixit that "there is no such thing as cancerous, that is to say, a cancerous stomach," would better have been unwritten; our practical friend Purcell finds cancerous conditions and writes of such conditions variously. JAMES W. HUNTOON, M.D.,

Lowell, Mass.

grant or migratory cells thus influenced may implant their deteriorated stock in the tissues, and there multiply themselves indefinitely. These "tramp cells,' as Americans would ca 1 them, find their best accommodations in vascu lar tissues; indeed, this is the mode of cancer growth. It is lamentable that able men could not be induced to turn their attention to subjects which promise so rich rewards. It is a pertinent fact that the tomato as a food has been used generally largely just about as many years [We fear that our esteemed contributor is as cancer has been so fearfully on the increase, unnecessarily caustic in his criticism of theories and the same is in a great degree true of the which he himself does not happen to believe in. pie plant; the strange indifference of some While it is true that the determination of the microbists is illustrated by a reply the writer exact pathology of a certain diseased condition recently received from one of them in answer is not always immediately followed by the corto an inquiry as to his opinion about the tomato responding discovery of infallible therapeutics of and the pie plant when used largely as a food the same, yet it is always of great value in as a possible cause of cancer His reply was therapeutic research. It guides the direction of that he would as soon suspect the watermelon such research and shows the lines into which it and bread; and yet, that man as a noted physi- would be unnecessary to go. Instead of meetcian, ought to know that the juice of the tomato ing with opposition and ridicule, those who contains a large quantity of the deadly oxalic think they shall ultimately be able to demonacid, equal to ten grains to four quarts of strate the microbic origin of cancer should be tomato juice, and that the pie plant also con- encouraged to continue their investigations until tains the same acid in large quantities, which, they reach a definite conclusion. If the when combined with a calcareous base in the microbic etiology is demonstrated it constitutes root. give a large per cent of oxalates, in some an important advance in pathological science; if varieties as high as 30 or 40 per cent. It is the opposite is demonstrated it settles the queswell known that oxalate of lime is found largely tion and suggests other channels of investigain the urine of persons eating tomatoes and pie tion. plant. It is devoutly to be hoped that practical men will work this very promising field, and tell us more particularly of the effect of these acids on the various conditions of tissue in their formation and history, especially in connection with accidental lesions, as an ulcer or injury. It is a pertinent fact, now well known, that cancer prevails most among more advanced civilized people, where the great luxury of the tomato is used most largely, while the savage, who does not eat it, is comparatively exempt from cancer. One noted physician of whom the writer made inquiry replied that he could find it in his heart to say nothing about the tomato except that it was a beautiful luxury. It is true that the combination of acids in it gives a pleasant taste, but it is certain that it is dangerous when taken largely as an article of food, as is done by many; and it is amazing how physicians should take for granted without demonstration that so strong a solution of so deadly an acid would not injure the formation of tissues, and tissues themselves. There is still a difference of opinion among the best observers on some questions pertaining to cancer, and too little positive knowledge exists. It is but a short time since the great observer, Virchow, surprised us by informing us that can

Again, it is too much the custom to speak with merciless ridicule and abuse of the Bergeon treatment as recommended for phthisis. The author of that treatment, after a number of experiments, announced to his professional brethren, in his enthusiasm, that he thought he had found a cure for that usually fatal malady. Many others, both before and since, have made a similar announcement, and their various modes of treatment have been found to be more or less beneficial, instead of positively curative. Begeon's treatment was tried by competent observers all over the world, and was found to exert only the favorable influence that a saturation of the system with sulphurous acid usually exerts over the process of suppuration. The greater majority of the patients were benefitted for a considerable time, but almost none were cured. While we now know that we can introduce the same agent into the circulation more conveniently by administering sulphide of calcium by the mouth, yet Bergeon is entitled to praise only, for his efforts in the line of therapeutic experiments, rather than the unthinking blame he too often receives because his method has proved to have not nearly so much merit as he hoped it would have. In the interest of ad

vancing science it is well that successful research should be accorded all due credit and praise, and that unsuccessful investigators, or those who hold views differing from our own, should be treated with only the most delicate criticism, in order that they may not be discouraged from further endeavor.

Our contributor's investigations into the disease-producing tendency of tomatoes and pie plant are very commendable, and we hope he will pursue them to a complete demonstration. We believe he will find a co-operator in Dr. Cathell, of Baltimore.-ED.]

An Extreme Case of Ascites.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-Mr. G. M. H., aged 51, who died October 17, 1893, was the subject of ascites for three and a half years. The case stands conspicuous, if not unprecedented in the number of times tapped and the aggregate amount of fluid.

The first six months he was tapped seven times, the amount of fluid averaging thirty pounds at a tapping. The second six months ten times. The third twenty-four times, and so on. The following table will show the advance of the case and compute the aggregate amount of fluid:

Time. No. Times Tapped. 7

Average Quantity Total Quantity
of Fluid.
of Fluid.
30 lbs

6 mo.

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210

918 1,155 1,278

3,561

The table shows an increase from year to
It shows a
year in the frequency of tappings.
decrease in the amount abstracted at the separ-
ate operations, but this decrease is not in pro-
portion to the increased number of tappings, for
the total shows that from year to year the
quantity of fluid increased. Summing up we
have 157 operations and 3,561 pounds of ac-
cumulation abstracted. In addition to the ex-
traordinary severity and duration of this case,
what is possibly more remarkable is that the
patient soon became familiar with the operation
and could perform it himself, which he did
with his own hands more than one hundred

times. What is the record on number of tap-
pings?
C. C. COTTON, M.D.,

Point Isabel, Ind.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I take several other leading medical journals, but I find that I refer to the back numbers of THE WORLD more than I do to all the rest combined for practical, every-day work. R. C. PAINE, M.D.

Bethel, N. Y.

Antiseptic Obstetrics.

83

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I so fully concur in the views expressed by Dr J. S. Ducate in the January number of the Med. and Surg. Reporter, of Philadelphia, that I will add With my experience in confirmation thereof. 50 years' practice, embracing some 2,000 obstetrical cases, with a loss of less than one-half of one per cent. from all causes, including puerpeal eclampsia, placenta previa and one of tubal pregnancy, I feel that my duty was not illy performed, notwithstanding neither in the past nor at the present have I paid any attention to the extreme views upon the subject of antiseptics. All the antisepsis performed by me is not for the benefit of the parturient before or during delivery, but a thorough washing with soap and water for my own comfort after my other duty is performed.

I regard cleanliness an essential factor in the treatment of all diseases and conducive to good health, hence I think it best, though not essential in most cases, to give the vagina a few ablutions of warm water, and, if the discharge is more than ordinarily offensive, to use a wash of carbolic acid, or, what I regard as equally efficacous and more pleasant, a wash of tar water, after cleansing the parts with warm water.

If thorough washing after each menstrual flow were more generally practiced there would, no doubt, be less womb trouble in after life. Since the use of antiseptics in surgical practice, operations are performed which are wonderful in their results, and perhaps the suggestion may not be amiss that thorough cleanliness is a prerequisite to the use of antiseptics, without which I presume little good could be expected; therefore would ask whether asepsis without thorough cleansing would equal thorough washing without the use of antiseptics.

There is nothing that decomposes as quickly as blood, hence the necessity of its

riddance. Butchers know this fact and are
pleased to see a full flow in view of the better
This is further
keeping quality of the meat.
illustrated in case of a beef killed by lightn-
ing, without the loss of blood, which in a very
short time will be unfit for use.

Though not pertinent to the subject under consideration, it may not be amiss to give my experience on the obstetrical subject. Although taught to wait from one-half to two hours for the expulsion of the placenta, I have long since thought the advice wrong in theory and still worse in practice. I see where some practitioner (name forgotten), "goes for" the afterbirth before tying the cord. This I regard as "too previous." My habit is to proceed to the delivery as soon as the child is given to the

nurse. A little kneading of the abdomen, a slight tract on of the cord, with the help of the finger of the other hand, and you will seldom have any difficulty, and this early delivery greatly lessen the danger of flooding and insures against hour glass contraction.

I will further state that I have long since almost abandoned the use of ergot as a means to increase the inefficient pains of labor, believing that it more frequently does harm than good. My experience with Viscum Album, (Mistletoe), though quite limited, is more favorable for that purpose. Pretty firm pressure upon the perineum during a pain is often of great advantage in helping the pain, both in force and longer continuance, and with the further tendency to relax the parts and thereby lessen the tendency and danger of rupturing the perineum. Port Republic, Va. G. W. KEMPER, M.D.,

Against the Swab in the Treatment of Diphtheria. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I was much interested in Dr. W B. Parkinson's article in the January WORLD, but differ widely with him as to "the swab in the treatment of diphtheria." The doctor and myself, though now widely separated, were students in the same office at Morgan, Utah. years ago, and in the epidemics of diphtheria that were prevalent in that locality during that time the usual treatment was to swab out the throat with Monsell's solution, hydrochloric acid diluted and solutions of vary

But above everything I consider alcohol almost a specific, given in large doses, wi hout fear of intoxication, as the virulence of the disease counteracts the effects of the remedy. Reedsville, Pa. B. R. KOHLER, M.D.,

Methylene Blue for Diphtheria.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I will be pleased to have you call the attention of the profession to the use of methylene blue (Merck's) in diphtheria, ten grains to the ounce of water; apply to deposit with absorbent cotton every hour. washing the throat with some disinfectant be fore applying, hold the cotton saturated with the blue up on the deposit until it saturates to the roots. I have used this treatment for nine months, and am so well pleased that I have discarded all the old remedies. In most cases the throat will be clear of deposit in forty-eight hours. The most severe type of the disease that I have seen in this time has not lasted beyond the third day. There is no irritation from its It is non poisonous and the germs cannot grow in its presence. There is complete disinfection of the throat. Not the least odor after saturation of the blood from absorbtion from its the first application. Besides, there is complete after its use for twenty-four hours local use, as shown by the urine becoming blue I do not

use.

know whether this remedy will save neglected cases, but believe it will arrest the disease if used at once. I instruct my patients to keep the preparation in the house and paint any and all

ing per cent. of argent nitras, and the death deposits they may see in the throat without rate was enormous and largely do to laryngeal complications, especially diphtheritic croup

As Dr. Da Costa states, diphtheria is a constitutional disease with a local expression, the expression being in the throat. I claim that to cauterize a diphtheritic ulcer is wrong. Even after applying solid nitrate of silver, in a few hours you will observe the exudation appear again. In using the swab the danger is in abrading the surface of the throat, thus furnishing a new field for the deposit of an exudate. By this means it has been claimed by eminent authority that the exudate has been transferred to the larynx--the most formidable danger in diphtheria.

I agree with the doctor in the use of the H2. 02. as an antiseptic and pus destroyer, but would use it as a spray only.

As to other treatment, I would use whiskey freely and large doses of tr. ferri chlor. frequently repeated. Keep the bowels open with small doses of calomel. If laryng, al symptoms supervene I would use small doses of hydrarg. chlor. corrosive or hy lrarg. chlor. mite, believing in its preventing for nation of membrane.

waiting to send for me. I do not claim this drug as a specific, for the time of use is too short; but the nine months of use have been so satis

factory that it has taken away in a great measure the dread I have always felt for this most terrible and fatal disease. Denver, Col.

N. K. MORRIS, M.D.,

Personal Experience With Diphtheria. Editor MEDICAL WORLD:-I have been

practicing medicine ten years. For five years I never saw a case of genuine diphtheria. Then it came. A little girl, five years old, contracted it and for three months her life was despaired of from paralysis and albuminuria; but she eventually got well. Fifteen others came down in the same town. All got well. One month after all diphtheria had seemingly disappeared from the little village, one child that had had diphtheria, came over to play with my baby, (two years old), and imported the dread disease from the dolls she played with while sick. baby, after four days of it, died. It nearly broke my heart. I moved away from there

My

and came to Port Huron. Here I met with it again. Had six cases all at once on my hands in different families, so mild that it was with difficulty I impressed the parents it was diphtheria. Nevertheless, it was so virulent that I contracted it myself two days after I had dismissed all the others well.

Now for an experience. I felt chilly all day, severe chill at night; temperature 104; tonsils inflamed; no patches yet; second day, diphtheritic membrane manifested itself. I was very sick. My tongue was swollen and so dry that I could scarcely move it. Headache, backache, ache all over. Third day. tonsils, uvula, pharnyx, all covered with membrane; urine suppressed; sick at stomach; countenance dusky; pulse 120, intermitting; at times suffocated nearly for want of air. Fourth day, membrane all over mouth. even to the covering of the gums with a slight membrane.

Now for treatment. In the first place, thorough disinfecting of everything. Oil stove kept burning night and day, generating steam, with turpentine, oil eucalyptus and carbolic acid; sheets wrung out of a strong solution of corrosive sublimate kept wet all the time, and the following internal treatment: No. 1.

R. Tr. ferri mur.................................. ...............
Glycerine.

.dram vi .........ounce iv

M. Sig. swab throat every hour to every hour, night and day, and one teaspoonful internally every three hours. Alternate with

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R Acid carbolic.

Spts. Camph............

Amm. mur..........
Aquæ.......

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dram i ........dra 'n ii ..........o i M. Sig. Gargle with this as warm as convenient.

Return to No. 1 and 2 as soon as membrane showed itself. Spray nose with car bolized oil, acid carbolic, minim j to dram j of oil frequently. Also inject some up posterior nares every three hours. Took all the liquid nourishment and whiskey I could drink. Took injections of red pepper tea into rectum for suppression of urine after diuretics failed, which had the desired result. After the diphtheria disappeared (which lasted ten days) I commenced taking strychnine gr. 1-60 every three hours, and infusion of digitalis and cactus grand for kidney and heart weakness. It

was two months before I left the house. Suffered with diphtheritic paralysis, which was finally overcome by electricity and strychnine. Took in all 300 pills of strychnine and 50 tablets of nitro glycerine for symptoms of heart failure. It is now four months since I had it, and every time I catch cold I have white patches on my throat. My heart is still weak and I cannot eat meat, as the kidneys are yet weak. Can a per son have true diphtheria more than once?

I might say in addition, that I also gargled with peroxide of hydrogen when tonsils and soft palate took on an unhealthy action. The physicians of this town were very kind to me, ten of them calling often and doing all they could for me

Don't use harsh Don't give

In conclusion I would say: means to remove the membrane. depressants. Don't be afraid of giving too much strychnine where the heart is failing, but combine it with nitro-glycerine, which dilates the capillaries and also has a very favorable action on the kidneys.

Don't force the membrane down into the trachea with a swab. Don't confine patient in a close room, but give plenty of fresh air. Nitric acid will dissolve the membrane better than anything else I ever tried. (I tried papoid, chloral, pepsin and trypsin.) Don't use it, (the nitric acid) strong, but well diluted.

GEO. H. TREADGOLD), M.D., Immigrant Inspector at Port Huron, Mich.

A Case in Practice.

Editor MEDICAL WORLD: -About daylight December 28, 1893, I was called to Mrs. J. B., about nine miles in the country. Arriving about 9 a. m, I found a miscarriage at six months, with child born about two hours before my arrival. The mother, rather small, thin and of nervous temperment, about 35 years old. She had evidently about bled to death. She was pulseless, had the Hippocratic countenance and to all appearance was beyond the reach of medicine. She was still wasting. As the stomach would tolerate nothing, and I did not believe would digest anything, I put five drops o tr. nux. vom., two drops fl. ex. belladonna and eight drops tr. digitalis in a teaspoonful of tr. viburnum prunifolium, and used the hypodermic syringe. Then, placing my hand on the abdomen and finding the womb about the size of a child's head, I inquired after the placenta and was told by the husband that it had all come away. I asked him if he was certain of it. He said yes, he had seen them before, knew how they looked, and was sure of it With the left hand still grasping the uterus I introduced

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