New-York tribune., 1905-01-15
H0W TO DEAL WITH CANCER.

Two announcements about the cause and
rability OF cancer have been made in the
last few days. DR.. II. r. Gaylord Of Buffalo
Is the author Of one Fully six or seven years
ago he satisfied himself and few professional
friends that he had found the germ of this dis
resSing disease Since then he has been irving
10 produce a serum which would prove eff
clent in fighting the latter. He thinks that he
mas succeeded, for he says that he has been
able to cure number of mice to which cancer
had been impaired by inoculation. DR.. Roswell
Park. who has given much study to the nature
of the disorder and who is in charge of the
institution in which DR.. Gaylord has prosecuted
these researches, is credited with cherishing
nuch falth in the accuracy of his assistants
methods and results; and his Endorsement is
certainly to be regarded with profound respect
AS yet the work has not been carried to its
hnal stage. Perhaps DR.. Gaylord might have
waited few months longer before reporting
progress. 1t is not unlikely, though, that he
was lmpelled to speak just now by the other
declaration TO which reference has been made.
Seven physicians connected with the Harvard
Medical School, after four years of investiga-
tion have concluded that the best cure for
cancer is surgery. Treatment with Rontgen
rays is sometimes attended with happy results
when the diseased conditions are on the sur
face, but 1t is pronounced Intellectual when
there is a deep seated malignant tumor The
verdict on this subject which comes from Bos-
ton is not the less valuable because it lacks
novelty. 1t emanates from an institution of
high standing and it is based on recent inquiry.
On its own merits alone it is entitled to be re-
garded with some confidence, but the Importance
of the declaration is enhanced by the fact that
it is in close accord with the latest report of
the workers under the British Cancer Research
Fund
In announcing the convictions of himself and
his associates, DIR. e. III. Nichols, of Harvard
refers to the belief that cancer Is caused by
a protozOon, or microscopic organism belonging
TO the animal kingdom. In the last dozen years
a number of men of repute have imagined
that they had found such germ. Diminutive
bodies distributed in cancerous tissue, and not
observed elsewhere, have repeatedly been de-
scribed by experts, and baleful influence has
been imputed to them. DR.. Nichols does not
dispute their existence. but he says that they
are merely "excretions." and that the germ
theory as applied to cancer, is now exploded"
The serums which certain foreign specialists
use in treating human patients, and which Dr.
Gaylord has tried on mice, are prepared from
the supposed parasites; but, if the latter are
not really living organisms, misgivings must
arise concerning the virtues of any remedy de-
rived therefrom.
less In fighting cancer, a resort to them is
worse than useless. The practitioner who en-
plOys them wastes precious time. When he
finally realizes that the knife is necessary the
prospect of recovery has been perceptibly, not
to say seriously impaired. The operator whose
assistance is invoked often finds that the hid
den tumor ramihes in q surprising manner thus
compelling him to extend his exploration be-
yond the intended limits and prolonging the
period during which aniesthesia is requisite II
the patient survives the operation itself, there
is possibility that further trouble will ensue
in year or two. In view OF these only too
familiar circumstances, the Harvard investi-
gators reiterate the advice given by leading
NewYork surgeons, to remove a cancer at as
early a stage of its history as possible
Confronted by such conflicting opinions what
should physician do who has a case of cancer
under his supervision? Keep alert to the possi-
bility that Or. Gaylord or somebody else may
eventually be able to supply helpful remedy
Then wait until the remedy has been employed
successfully on from twenty to fifty patients
by specialists who cannot be suspected of bias
independent testimony from competent Wit.
ncsses is . prerequisite 90 the acceptance of
every supposed discovery in science. Until ii
is forthcoming in the present instance reliance
should be placed only upon thoroughly approved
methods OF procedure.