The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-27
CANCER AND THE x-RAYs.
Treatment Described at a Recent
Meeting of the Harvard Medical

society.
From the New York Post.
So many irresponsible accounts of the
treatment of malignant growths by the
X-rays have been published that it is
interesting to note in a current issue
of the New York Medical News re-
port of cases so treated, read by DR..
William j. Morton at a recent meet
ing of the Harvard Medical Society OF
this city at which Dr. William B. Coley
presided.
DR.. Morton's first case for discussion
was that of a patient suffering from
an epithelioma OF the cheek, which had
run very persistent course. II was
noticed over fifteen years ago, and
then, as the result of cauterization,
improved somewhat. Afterwards IL
was treated with arsenic paste for
time, and was so much improved tnat
it seemed to be cured. Later il broke
out again and for this last year pro-
duced great Disagreement. Before
treatment with the X-rays there was
hardening of the tissues for three
quarters of an inch beyond the edge
of the ulcer, all of which has softened
as the result of about three weeks Of
treatment with the X-rays. The case
is not cured, but so much improve
ment has come and there is so much
less discomfort that the patient is en-
thusiastic over the new method OF
treatment.
Another case was a sarcoma of the
temporal bone. This had been operated
upon and as much as possible of the
malignant growth removed. The re-
currence was treated as carefully as
possible with caustics, but without any
lasting effect. "Coley's fluid" was then
- IN, civ
and the patients general condition
much improved. Later, however, the
sarcoma again required, and the pa
tient suffered so much that large
amounts of morphine had to be used
to induce sleep. After three treat
ments with the X-rays the patient was
able TO sleep at night and to cut down
the usual dose of morphine to less than
one-fourth. In a week the tumor was
very much reduced in size, and the
case is evidently progressing toward
cure.
other cases were cited by DR.. Nor
ton, who called special attention to
the fact that the X-rays produced al
most immediate and complete relief
from pain. In this matter they are
much better than any of the ordinary
analgesics; one patient, who had had
considerable experience with both, said
great as that produced by morphine,
and was much more lasting. This
points to the fact that the nerves of
sensa ton of the part are entirely be-
numbed. The most important feature
of the new growths that are amenable
to treatment by the X-rays is super
ficiality. If the growth is situated in
the skin itself or if it is not covered
by skin because of lucrative process
ses, that the X-rays are sure to be use
full. Referring to one case, carcinoma
of the breast, where the tumor had dis
appeared completely after three weeks
treatment by DR.. Morton. DR.. Coley
said that he had not a single doubt
as to the malignant character of the
growth and when it required the third
time the case had seemed hpoeless.
DIR. Morton called special attention
to the dangers of the use of the X-ray
in such cases as these, especially that
from gangrene. DIR. Gibson said that
the experience at st. Luke's Hospital
with the X-rays shows that very prob
ably there is some great service to be
expected from their use in the treat
ment of malignant disease, and that
further opportunity for the employ
ment of this method of treatment
should be looked for so as to decide the
possibilities and the limits of their
application. DR.. Walker said that this
method of treatment is in the hands
of experts as yet and that, while re-
suits are promising, so promising as to
be almost alluring, the profession must
awaist further results at the hands Of
men who thoroughly understand the
application of the method.