The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-13
THE STUDY OF CANCER.
Mrs. Caroline n. croffs Request 20 Har-
ward University.
(From the Boston Herald.)

Mrs. Caroline Brewer Croft, who be-
queathed nearly 100000 to Harvard Uni
versity, to be used In the Investigation Of
cancer, was a native Of Boston, the
daup liter OF Gardiner Brewer. Boston
merchant, and feveral years. ago married
Arthur Croft, q well. English ar
t.st. She died abroad two years ago.
She was always very philanthrori,, and
became much interested incancer through
the death Of relative from that cause.
The legacy came to light some six months
ago, the slowness of English courts In
connection with settling her estate bsiLg
responsible for the delay.
The amount Was not left to Harvard
originally, the university being named as
the alternative beneficiary. Mrs. Croft
named her family physician. DIR. Henry
X. Oliver, and DIR. J. Collins Warren to
carry on this work, with q provision that
Harvard receive the amount In case these
gentlemen should net care to undertake
1t. They have turned IL over to the uni
versity. The donors idea was not 30
m UGH to aid science az to benefit hum an
| ity In general and relieve suffering.
The study of cancer has been systemati-
cally undertaken in several laces, and 1t
is intended to benefit In every way posi-
hitherto Teen done. Considerable has
been accomplished by San Felice. In
Italy. for instance, and lso In Paris and
London, while rf. Rowsll Park Of
BufIsl,, for this country, has gone into
the subject very exhaustively.
The primary purpose Of the gift seems
to be to enable medical science TO discover
| the origin Of cancer, since 10 was stated
| In the will that II the origin Of cancer
should be determind the income from the
fund-whioh alone Is to be used In either
case-is to be apr ed toward the disoov-
cry Of the sources and nature OF ether
little unders TODD diseases.
The work Ia being organized under the
| supervision OF the surgical department.
Of the Harvard Medical School. and will
lie carried on In connection with other
funds for such purposes, bot for cancer
Warren will naturally be prominently
Identified with the work. The principal
appointse will be DR.. Il. Ii. Nichols Of
the Harvard Medical School, who will go
abroad next month for the purpose OF
studying the methods there. IL 10 the
Dc pose also to start s-ries of cultures
Of germs having any connection, real or
apparent, with cancer, and, In short, TO
carry en- all kinds Of experimental work
which the disease suggests. 10 the same
general end tho Boston City Hospital and
| the Mast achusetts General Hospital will
cooperate with the surgical department
of the Harvard Medical school. Some
| younger men will also be appointed, the
latter carrying on their work locally.
DIR. Warren, speaking to Herald rs-
porter, said tuberculosis and cancer were
the two chief diseases with which sur
gsons Rave to deal. He pointed out the
| progress which has been made toward
| the treatment aud prevention of oonsump-
| ton since its nature was discoy, red. The
, statement that consumption 10 contagious
would have been laughed at some years
ago, while now the fact is realized. and
1t Is by no means certain that cancer Is
not contagious, though, OF course, 1t Is
not virulently so, like scarlet fever or
dipht heris.