Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-07-03
THE STORY OF A CANCER.

throat, and that his disease was similar
to that from which General Grant il
suffering. This is not strictly true. Th'
Generals ailment is ulcerous in its ns
ture, eating into the skin and discharg
ing offensive matter. With Mr.. Lesli,
there was no break of the skin or dis
charge of any sort. 1t was a cancerou
growth upon the throat. The only
thing apparent to the eye in his case wa
a slight swelling upon the gland Of th'
neck, beneath the jaw, near the iugula
vein. There was no visible breakin:
down OF tissue.
Mrs. Leslie herself told me how he
husband died. No detailed account O.
it had ever been written, she said, ant
it would be of interest now because o
General Grants case. | give the story
as far as may be, in her own clear-cut
well-chosen words. The musical voice
the glance Of the eloquent eye, canno
reproduce.
Mr.. Leslie was man of perfect ply
sique. Ee had never suffered from Al
ailment in his life. Five weeks before
his death he was as sound and strong
to all appearance, as any man in Amer
ica. He had failed in business, some
time before, however, and had wadet
through an ocean of trouble. 1t hat
not seemed to affect his health. He said
sometimes:
"My enemies are trying to kill me
but as long as my digestion is good they
can't hurt me-"
"Tha. reminds me-" said Mrs. L., "oi
something. DR.. A. X. Gardner wrote
about the cause Of cancer, ten years be.
fore ny husband died. 1t fits both hi:
case and that Of General Grant SO close.
ly that it seems prophetic"
She read from back number Of the
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Weekly the fol.
lowing:
"The origin Of cancer may be looked
for in mental disquietude, and in thai
worry and fret of life under which sc
many strive.
1t seizes those whom misfortune hal
affected, and who have come down from
ease to reverse. / do not mean want oi
food but inability to maintain old posi-
ton, where there are strivings and vair
regrets and heart-burnings, that sorrow
of heart which comes from loss of 8
wife, children, and husband, or what Is
far worse, shame at their unworthiness
or sin. These prey upon the imagina'
ton, destroy the appetite for food, drive
away healthy sleep, weary the brain
and nervous centers Of life, and poison
the blood. To them the sun has nc
warmth, food no sweetness Of taste OF
nourishment, and life no joy. Cancer
comes to visit these sufferers and soon
brings an end to their woes. 1t has moi
needed its horror to wean one thu: suf'
fering from life, but IL makes death
indeed welcome"
Cancer attacks tho unfortunate and
those who have suffered intensely in
mind, and been subjected to 8 great
strain of anxiety.
One morning, five weeks before hi:
death, Mr.. Leslie said to his wife; "My
collar feels tight. Put your finger or
my throat, and see if there is not some
kind of swelling 'here?'"
She did so, but could find nothing. A
few mornings later he asked her again
to see if hi. throat was not swellsd. "My
collar seems to choke me, " he said. Thi.
time she detected upon the neck small
swelling, like gland hardened and en-.
larged by cold. There was 10 pain, buI
he thought he had a cold, which had
swelled his throat. Mrs. Leslie made q
loop in his collars, which let them out
and gave more room. he went to hi:
office every day, just as he had done fol
years.
Three weeks before his death Mrs
Leslie herself did not feel we'll, one
morning was little dyspeptic, and pro-
posed to consult physician.
"Suppose you step around with me
and ask about your throat" she said.
He agreed to do SO. After prescribing
for the lady, the doctor looked at Mr.
Leslie's neck.
"Take of your cost" he said, "ant
your vest"
The physicians face was entirely i'm
passive.
"You might try electricity" he said
"Take il three times on alternate days
and then come back" The doctor knew
then that his patient was doomed man
but he said not word. The Lssliei
thought he treated the matter lightly.
The days went on till within TIVE
weeks of the day he died. He and hi
wife were still Ignorant OF the doom
that hung over him. He began to hav'
great difficulty in swallowing. Thel
he said, impatiently:
"My sore throat is getting no better
The doctor is tampering with me. I'm
not satisfied. want consultation-si1
or eight doctors"
DR.. j. Marion Sims was his persona
friend of years. He asked him about tn
consultation, and requested him to b
present. DR.. Sims said:
"By all means, old boy, have it if yo