The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-29

| rived it by contagion and incubation
| is clear and irrefragable. If SO, it is
! for the first time in the history of medi-
cine demonstrated that cancer can be
communicated by contact. Some stu
dents of the disease have been antagO-
nized by perhaps a larger number of
eminent authorities and the question
has remained for the profession as a
whole one of the undetermined pro-
blems. DR.. Burnette'S physicians and
friend, DIR. Roland D. Jones, will short
ly, however, undertake to SOW in medi
cal journal that the case of DR.. Bur-
nette's indisputably solves the problem
in favor of those who have always
maintained that cancer was commune
cable. The acceptance of this is one
of the facts medical science must, of
course, bring about radical changes in
the handling of cancer cases. 1t would
seem to be logical inference that mu-
inequalities would eventually Danish all
cancer hospitals and cancer cases to
the suburban localities reserved for
the isolation Of contagious diseases.
Were the board Of health to adopt to-
morrow the belief that cancer is in
oculable, it would probably be their
duty, under the law. and in accordance
with their treatment Of most other COM
municable disease. to close the cancer
hospitals within the city and despatch
all patients who could be moved to one
Of the out lying island hospitals, and
stringently to isolate and quarantine
all sufferers wose condition would not
permit immediate removal An accept
I ance of the inoculability OF cancer
would also lead TO a revolution in the
methods Of studying the disease, and
perhaps in its treatment. 1t would be
investigated from new basis by ORR
ginal workers. and valuable discoveries
might be anticipated.
DR.. Roland D. Jones has been remark
ably reticent concerning this case. like
ly to be so celebrated. He has refus-
ed to give any information to reporters.
being, as he says, sufficiently under the
lash Of the medical journals to treas
ure up all the details for them. The
main facts, however, constituting the
chain Of evidence in the case are few.
simple and apparently conclusive.
year ago DR.. Burnetts used one of his
fingers to apply nitrate Of silver TO an
irritated spot on the mouth OF wo-
man. A few hours later with the same
finger he rubbed an ordinary cosmetic
powder upon a razor cut on his left
cheek Cancer resulted. 1t has also
developed in the mouth Of the woman.
and il was ascertained that she used a
speaking-tuhe which had previously
been used by man who died from
cancer Of the mouth. There are involv-
ed, therefore, two cases OF seemingly
direct incubation.
II is believed. however. that. despite
the simplicity and cogency of this evil
dence. there will not be wanting medi-
cal sceptics 10 controvert the conclusion
drawn from ii. They will lay stress.
II is expected. upon the post-hoc as
against the propter-hoc argument and
will. perhaps. cite equally remarkable
cases Of seeming cause and effect subse
puently shown TO be fortuities- And
even IL admitting the possibility or inoc-
ulation. ii is believed they may be de-
pended upon TO contend that inasmuch
as the world as only just found il out.
communicated cases must obviously
have been exceedingly rare. and that
the discovery therefore Is not OF any
great practicable value.
The jesiousies and controversies o,
the profession have already manifested
themselves in the case Friends OF Dr..
cal papers have taken him Soundly 20
task for talking freely" 10 reporters OF
the secular press. while confidi1g moth
ing 10 the organs OF the profession Il
is also averred that some fello~-p-ac-
TONERS have sharply criticised Dr..
Jones for the frequency with which his
name. and especially his address. have
appeared in the daily papers: and one
Is said 20 have gone so far as 70 hin,
broadly tina; Or. Jones had bought up
the reporters Still other physicians
are reported 10 be much axSrssyed BE-
the vast medical importance OF the case
cause DR. Jones did nos. upon realizing |
At once summons 10 Dr.. Burnetse's bed ]