Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-23
A DREAD DISEASE.
An Alarming Increase of Cancer
Some Observations.
Wealth and High Civilization Are
Reversible Conditions for Devel.
ePinx Caneer-The Surgeon's
KniEe-A Peculiarly.


epiux C.neer-rhe surpeou,.
fChicaeo TimeAl
Attention is called by several English Jour
nails to the alarming increase of cancer in
Great Britain and the countries in the
central portion Of the continent Of Europe.
While statistics show that the average dura-
ton of human life is increasing, and that
many Of the most dangerous maladies Of
former times have been rendered compara-
lively harmeless, still the humber Of cases of
cancer becomes greater every year The
Export Of the register general, recently pub
lished, gives the number Of deaths occurring
from cancer during the ten years commenc-
ing with 1860 as 5000, and shows that the
annual increase was 24s. During the ten
years commencing with 1870 the total number
II deaths from cancer was III, 3Ol, and the
annual increase was 800. Cancer is also
increasing In France, Germany, and
the Scandinavian countries DIR. H.
Z. Dunn has been engaged for years
in trying to ascertain the causes OF the in
crease Of cancer. In q recent issue of The
Pail Mall Gazette he gives some Of the con.
illusions he has arrived at from his numerous
observations. In the first place. he finds that
wealth and high civilization are favorable
conditions for the increase Of cancer. MANY
other diseases are much more common and
are likely to be much more dangerous among
the poor and uncultivated, but the reverse is
true Of cancer The persons who dwell In
mansions are much more liable 10 cancer than
those who live in cottages and novels. 1t is
moro common in cities than in the rural dis
tricts- 1t is entirely unknown among un-
civilized people Wild animals are not sub
yect TO it, but domesticated ones are. Cases
Of cancer are becoming frequent among
thoroughbred animals which are protected
from exposure, tended with the greatest care.
and supplied with the best of food.
Another pecuiiarity of cancer is that IL il
much more likely to occur in persons who are
otherwise in apparent perfect health. and in
the maturity OF life. than in those who ara
frail and sckly. or are subject 10 the weak.
ness common to infancy and Old age. IL is
most likely to afi1ict mankind at middle ACE
when life is most ENJOYABLE TO its possessor
aud most useful to Others. IL generally an
PEARS in persons of robust form. strong
limbs, and active habits To use q paradox.
il is a disease of health. The professional
invalid need not fear cancer. IL spares the
weak and s.ckly to attack the strong and
vigorous. Constitutions that are very liable
to other diseases appear to be proof against
cancer
DIR. Dunn states that observation shoHs
cancer to have a certain geopranhical dis
tribution. The latitude of the British islands
marks the center of the belt in which II nre-
walls to the greatest extent Il does not coin
eide with the prevailing opinion that cap-
Ger is communicable. He saws il il neither
infectious nor contagious There il no evi.
dence that it has a zymotic origin. or. in
other words. that it arises from anv micro
organism or germ. Moreover ba
says nothing cancerous is transmitted
from parent to child. even in the
A child NAV inherit a prsdisposition TO
cancer-that is. n liability to the disease
but not the disease itself. IL commence, ds
novo in each individual whom it attacks
Ordinarily there are no preliminary symp-
toms Of its appearance. The first intimo-
tons of the terrible disease ara tho annasr-
ance Of tumor and tho sensation of severe
pains. 1t ALWAYS commences ~ a local dis
case. and generally remains such for a con-
siderable time It finally spreads. and by
means of the blood vessels and lympbatics
infects tie more distant organs of the bodv
Medical science has accomplished very lit
tie toward asccrtai ming the cause the nre- |
vention, or cure Of cancer. Recently it has |
shown that many of the remedies formerly |
ia use are altogether worthless. Medicines |
for the cure OF cancer ha We been very GEN.
orally abandoned. Medication has given |
away 10 surgery. In the great majority Of |
cases the most the surgeon can do is To nro- |
tract life. Cancers are now removed from |
t,arts of the system that could mt Iva reacbed |
before the invention of improyed surgical
appliances. The removal Of a cancer after it
becomes large seldom results in any good
II may protract life but it is certain to pro-
tract the most severe suffering,
"
Interior Value Of a Superior Educ..
ton.
[Chicago Timesl
A gentleman long Interested I'm relief work
in this city, states that large proportion OF
the applicants for MD arc persons Of nolished
Their letters ,ra modsis % CO..
rectness Among the tramps who were rs.
Gently fed in New York on a Sunday morn.
ing was one who returned thanks in Ave
modern LANGUAGES. and reneatad tho Ior,ys
nrav.r in C;reek. Latin and Hebraw No
was fine mathematician and good natnr-
slist. He was ashamed to beg and did not
know how to work. A fine set Of booLs in
uniform and very costly binding attracted
the attention Of a gentleman who WAS mass.