Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-07
CANCER CURED
Rv ARC LIGHT

One of the wonderful characteristics of
the present age is the rapid progress
that is being made In the art of healing
mans physical ailments. One of the
latest and most remarkable discoveries
has been the application of photothera-
py. The actinic rays of an arc light are
used to destroy the germs of consump-
ton and cancer. The difficulty at first
encountered in this treatment was the
pain and injury to the patient from the
neat rays of the light. But experiments
that have been conducted in the labora-
tories Of Professor Finson of Copenha-
gen, Denmark, of DR.. Agnew Clark OF
England, DIR. Hopkins of Brooklyn and
DIR. William of Boston, and in hospitals
in New York and also Chicago, demon-
strate that heat rays can be DETECTED
and only the actinic rays directed upon
the patient. This is accomplished by the
use of a quartz crystal lens which de-
composes an electric light of great pow
er, diverting the heat rays to a jacket
of cold water that surrounds the tube.
The blue Ultra violet, and violet rays, are
projected thru the tube upon the pa
tient. In the treatment of cancer an IN
tense electric light glows thru the tele-
scopic tube. The light is so intense that
the eye can not endure its rays unpro-
tected The neat rays would quickly
burn the flesh were they not withdrawn
thru the quartz lens. In operation the
patient is placed upon cot under the
apparatus. The end of the tube is placed
within an inch of the liberated surface;
the curative rays seem to penetrate the
flesh without pain or injury to the pa
tient, who is under treatment perhaps
an hour at time.
Under it's influence the germs are
killed. Day by day the treatment goes
on, one small spot receiving the concen-
trated rays at a time. The subject feels
no Inconvenience or sensation. There is
no physical or nervous strain. There
soon appears strange result. The ma
lignant edges Of the cancer begin to
form tissue. The cancer is apparently
restricted in it's spread and begins to
contract Slowly the lupus disappears
and sound scar tissue takes its place. Ii
necessary this can be followed by skin
grating and the patient is healed.
In malignant cancers of the breast,
ard Others the roots of which have pen
etrated deep, the Finsen ray is said TO
have accomplished wonders. The work
is slower but none the less sure. So many
cases of cancer have been reported
cured by this process that there is good
grounds for great hope that IT may be-
come the universal remedy. just how II
effects a cure the scientists do not know.
Rut that may be said Of almost any
remedy. The text books contain defini-
lions, but after all, man does not rea,is
understand the process by which the
cure is effected. 1885,.
Consumption Is treated IN a oiiteIeh'
way by the electric light cure. WIN
out stopping to describe the process !.
may be said in brief that the effects OF
the treatment are most imediateiy per-
ceptibls. The temperature falls; there
are fewer night sweats, less cough, ap-
petite and strength are improved ana
the person gains In weight. Tests OF
the sputa show a decreasing presence
of tuberculosis bacilli. 1t is claimed
that some consumptives in almost the
last stage Of the disease have been
cured. This does not sem so improbable
IL it be conceded that the electric rays
penetrate the body and destroy the
germ without injuring the patient. 1t
is easier to understand the effect OF
electric rays upon consumption than
cancer. Consumption Is known TO be
a germ disease; cancer is mystery 1t
is known that sunlight kills tuberculus
bacilli. The electric light is the near
est approach to sunlight of the artich-
cial illuminants 1t is known that IN the
blood ere minute organisms called pha-
gocytes They are scavengers and par
ticuIarly hostile to disease germs like
the tuberculosis bacilh The theory now
is that the active rays of the electric
light nourishes the phagocytes. Thus,
by "patting thes latter on the back
land frowning upon the former, the tide
of battle between the belligerents res
cues the patient from the grave.
AS germicide. the light ray holds
out the greatest hope to the physician
and suffering humanity. Many physi-
slams already believe that 1t car be
used for the destruction OF germs OF
ether diseases, as typhoid fever. pneu-
monia, cholera and other ailments that
bring great suffering to the human race
and add largely to the mortality rate.
Man cannot escape death, but he may
reasonably hope that science WIN not
only lengthen his life so that a large
proportion of the race may reach the
scripture limits, but also ENJOY a free
dom from those disease never yet real
lied as far as history has revealed.