The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-02-23
Oar 0lio.
Facts Concerning Cancer.
Halls Journal OF Health.

taAts journal n4 health
This disease appears to be largely on the
increase. From the report of the registrar
general we learn there we're S0u59 deaths
in England from this cause during the ten
years from 1860 to 1870, an annual in
creasc Of 2tS From 1870 TO 1872 the
annual increase was 32T. Thoagh we have
20 statistics at hand, medical practitioners
are generally inclined TO admit that this
disease Is alarminsiy on the increase in the
| nited States
II seems to be more prevalent in the
heated and intense life Of cities than in the
country; among the rich aud well to do
than among the poor According to
French authority. the proportion Of cancer
in France among the wealthy classes is
about l06 in 900; among the poorer
classes ~ in ! ,000-l0 per cent. Of the
former aud per cent o. the latter IL
seems 10 be a morbid growth upon civilixa-
,iou, as il i rarely found among the savage
mcn. Like the scale and other fruit pests
that prey upon our orchards and vineyards
the shadow oi this baleful parasitic growth
hovers around the homes of ease and luxu-
~ and high living, rather than pioneer
eabiBs, the camps and huts Of miners,
loggvrs, hunters and fishermen. Observa-
ton shows chat it Is fond Of localities. /,
Is said 70 b. wholly unknown in the Farce
islansis In Iceland 10 one year there were
ouly thirty eases oat Of j0,000 in
habitapts. Considering the geographical
extent Of England il Is more prevalent,
malignant aud fatal there than elsewhere,
and among English speaking people than
any other rsee. Il Is 10 be found more
largely among women than meu and more
amoag those who have been mothers. IL
Is mos; likely 20 appear between the ages
II IS and 90 Il stands almost alone a.
disease that increases with our excited life
and prosperity, and while health laws aud
improves sanita;ion are raising the standard
Of health this hideoas and Ioathsouie
maiady n-sts as a bio, upon our vital sta
tistics.
As far as known cancer does not arise
from any micro organism OF germs and
consequently Is Do, Infectious or contagious. I
It eanno, be caush, nor given. But if it
be true that eaneerous persons do not prop
agate the disease j, is almost certain they
bcges eonsampIive children, and eonsump-
ton l. always 4 result Of debility, want Of .
genersl health, whatever may be the imme- /
diaie cause S,ill cancer often attacks per +
sons in the most vigorous health, and con
Is bard to classify in terms Of
Il Is sad commentary on our boas,ed .
healiug art, with It's rich heritage of more
than thousand years, tha, this disease is
sill claSsed among the incursbles. Many
of cur most learned aud widely experience
cd physicians coni,ss that they have no
faith in any known remedy, aud believe
tAst all that can DO done Is to mercifully
le, the wretehed sufferer as softly into the
grave as possible There are few who
still think that electricity may furnish some
but as a curative agent il has
bat few followers Il seems to be mel
aneholy concurrence among medical men
that no confidence can be placed in medi-
ration, and that as long as the etiology of
the disease is wrapped in mystery, it is a
waste Of time to discuss its therapeutics
The knife is now about the oaly accepted
remedy with the profession throughout the
world, but even that it is admitted can
1uly avail in the incipiency Of the disease,
which Is liable TO break out again Ii is
always a local disease at the start, but
spreads BY means of blood vessels aud
ymphaties, first to the nearest gland, then
more distant, and when this occurs it is no
onger local but constitutional, and the sur
;eon Is powerless, At the start cancer
Gems closely allied with the tumor family,
md has usually become constitutional be-
ore it unmasks itself Once in the blood
t is hopelessly beyond all surgical eradica-
ion II