New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-10
THE CAUSE or CANCER.

An Increasing interest has been felt during
the last few months in the subject OF those
malignant growths which are commonly known
as cancers DR.. Park. Of the New-York state
Psychological Laboratory at Buffalo, has given
special attention TO the topic and he announced
last winter that this form Of human aifiicuon
was steadily gaining in prevalence in America
Almost simultaneously similar reports came
from Europe There Is now scarcely any other
disease no matter how prevalent II may nave
been in the recent past. which Is not under bet
ter control than cancer. If, In all cases. sat
,sfac,orv course of treatment has not been
found at least the causes have often peeh as
certained and much light has thus been thrown
on the nature Of the maladies In question But
with cancer the investigators have Deen-at
least up TO the present time-less fortunate
They have had conJectures. Dr. Phrk anu
many others have inclined TO the belief that the
disorder was OF bacterial origin. Ana repeated
" within the last few years there nave Deeh
alleged discoveries of the parasite itself The
most recent that OF DR.. Bra, in Paris. Ike
garding them ALL however, the profession seems
TO have remained very sceptica
DR.. Lack. It Is said. was at one time favorably
disposed toward the germ theory. But he now
holds that another cause than a mcrobe Is at
new factor which he thinks he has hit upon is to
he considered the only one in the situation, or
as supplemental to the living organism for
which he and others have been hunting. But
what he now announces as the essential element
Is a certain kind OF injury TO the main, or base
ment tissue Of the mucous membrane, in which
q cancer usually develops This theory is IN
harmony with the widespread notion that some
Irritation OF the mucous membrane Is at the
bottom OF the trouble. and hence 1t has an air
OF probability, at least to the lay nina. But
OF course the general public Is not quahhed 10
Judge of the soundness OF DR.. Lacks conclu-
slons It is only after the medical profession
has passed on the matter that the uninltated
will be warranted in holding opinions. All that
one is permitted TO know at present is that the
Investigator has reported his results to com
mittee OF a reputable scientific organization. the
Pathological Society OF London. and that
rumor Is in circulation to the effect that the
committee thinks we'll of his work. Details OF
DR. Lacks methods and conclusions are to De
given to the public in the near future. Experts
will then be enabled to estimate the value or
his researches.
ANY announcement Of this kind naturally sug-
gests the question how far the discovery II II
he a genuine one. will avail in fighting the dis
order under consideration. II the bacterial OIL
gin OF cancer were once established beyond
doubt and the specific microbe OF the disease
were isolated and cultivated artihcaly the at
tenpt would Immediately be made to derive a
curative serum from it, such as has been pre-
pared from the germs of diphtheria. tetanus,
bubonic plague and yellow fever. Unfortunate
w. II has not been possible thus far to manu-
facture an efflcacious anttoxn from all recog-
nized pathogenic bacteria. Koch thought ne
had succeeded in tuberculosis, but he was
doomed 10 disa appointment The virtues OF the
ser11ms for hydrophobia and some other maia-
dies have also been called in question. And IN
the case Of typhoid and still other diseases no
pretence has been made OF success. Hence,
while the discovery OF germ Of cancer would
not afford positive guarantee OF preventive
and curative agent the revelation would never
theless encourage hopes OF such an achievement
eventually But II DR.. Lack has demonstrated
that a cancer is due only to an injury to the
mucous membrane. II may prove Impossible 10
utilize that discovery for remedial purposes TO
he sure he may have found some entirely new
method OF producing serum. And 1t Is too soon
10 assume that he has not proposed something
~ the kind But the value OF his work VIII de-
mend largely on this possible consequence. In
deed interest in the complete story will centre
chiefly in that portion OF 1t which relates to
such a contamination