New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-23
FATAL TO DIR. BURNETTE
STE DIES FROM CANCER. THOUGHT TO BE
RESULT OF INCUBATION
THE CASE NOTEWORTHY ONE. AS 1T Is BE-
,rEvEp TO RE THE FIRST IN WHICH THERE
IsA COMPLETE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE
ESTABLISHING THE THEORY OF
INCUBATION.

INCUBATION.
few weeks ago The Tribune announced that
,he attention OF several members Of the medical
orofession had been called TO the Illness OF Dr.
EDWARD Worthngton Burnette, OF No. l15 West
thirty -fourth-st. by reason Of the fact that for
the first time in the history Of medicine in this
country It was maintained that complete chain
Of evidence proving that cancer inoculable
had been clearly established in DR.. Burnette's
ease Or. Burnette died yesterday afternoon and
. number OF representative physicians will now
enter upon a searching investigation of the cir
cumstances and primary causes Of DR.. Burnette's
illness with view OF determining definitely the
hitherto much-disputed question in this country
&c 10 whether cancer by noculation is a possi-
tlity.
DR. r. W. JONES'S OPINION
According to the opinion of Dr. Roland w. Jones'
M No SO West Fifty-ninth-st.. who attended Dr.
purnette there are substantial grounds for the
beIief that his patient contracted the malady by
reason Of a somewhat careless act after treating
woman who was suffering from cancer.
II seems that about year ago the doctor was
rallied 10 attend a Miss Hatch. Of No 1O2 West
rhirty-fourth-st She complained Of an irrita-
4ion Of the tongue and in order to allay the pain
he applied nitrate of silver with his finger. A
cut a slight cash on his left cheek. and to stop
the flow Of blood he rubbed some powder on the
wound with the same finger that he had pre-
siously applied 10 the woman's tongue. After
ward swelling resulted. and cancer developed
Il was found subsequently that the irritation of
the tongue from which the woman complained
was cancer, and about the same time that the
disease manifested Itself in Dr. Burnettes face an
operation for malignant cancer was performed on
the woman's tongue. AS II to further the con-
tention that a chain Of evidence of inoculable
cancer had been found. it was stated that Miss
Hatch herself had caught the disease by using a
speaking-tube belonging 10 man who had pre-
siousy died with cancer in the mouth.
AN OPERATION ON DR. BURNETTES FACE
DR.. Burnette's afflicton increased so alarmngly
in its effects that in March part Of the jawbone
was removed and the cheek cut away almost
10 the left eve A few weeks after this opera
Gon however the malignant symptoms again
get in. and spread over the entire side or his
face. He realized that death was certain re-
suit and he regulated his affairs accordingly.
About a week age Dr. Burnette rallied per-
ceptlbly and DR.. Jones who attended him. ex-
pressed some hope. But with the advent of the
hot weather he became worse. and suffered in
tensely till his death.
DR. BURNETTE'S CAREER.
DR. Burnette waI native OF Connecticut.
He studied medicine and graduated from
the College of Physicians and Surgeons In this
city In 1869. For number of years after
ward he was house surgeon of Bellevue Hos
pital.
On giving up this place Dr. Burnette re-
moved to the West Side. opened office at
no. 115 West Thrty-fourth-st.. and had an
extensive practice. He a well-known man.
He for years quartermaster-serg of the
sth Regiment.
The doctor was unmarried and occupied suite
Of apartments at the same number as his office
Ills only known relative is a brother in San Fran
cisco. now his way to New-York in response to
a dispatch announcing his brothers precarious
condition. DR.. Jones said last night that there
were some further remarkable features OF this
case that could not be given out at present. The
dates Of the autopsy and Of the funeral will not
be fixed until the brother, Wellington Burnette
has beel heard from. DR.. Burnette was Mason
Of high degree