New-York tribune., 1907-11-07
CANCER INCREASING.
STEADY GATN IN DEATHS.
Specialist Says, Ho7ceCer, That the
Disease Is Not TranSmittabIe.

Cancer according 70 Dr. Eugene IT Porter state
Commissioner OF Health. is increasing in the state
and in this city. The deaths have been far more
far this year than for the period in 1906
The local Health Department and the New York
Skin and Cancer Hospital agreed with DR.. Porter
Yesterday. According to one Of the physicians at
the hospital there have been more cases Of cancer
tr ated there the last ten months than in any
previous year The average has been about eight
hundred a month. OF that number ninc-tenths live
In Manhattan
At the same time a cancer specialist has come
out in article against the contagious and infcc
rous nature OF the disease. lie says there is no
foundation in fact that can lead n the belief that
the disease IS ransmissable and mis- contention Is
upheld by physicians who have made a study Of
the subject
Tho latest statistics Of the Health Department
regarding cancer were those for 1905 when the
deaths were $50 increase over the previous
year The death rate I'm 1905 ~ 10000 Of
population, as against 69i in 1894 The report in
explaining the increase. said that Il was probablv
due 10 more accurate diagnosis and 70 q proator
consumption of animal foods The disease was
sald TO he more prevalent among men probably due
10 their greater Of stimulants and their strenu-
Gus devotion 10 business
br William Seaman Bainhrldee who was tina
Hrst honorary president Of the International Con
gross on Cancer held at Heidelberg a wear ago
SAID In recent article cancer that the origin
o| me disease is stiU mystery lie said that ii
tary. Continuing. he said
INC public has right 10 know the results of all
Sclcnuhc research. particularly when the public's
money dcfrays the expense tbereor T{rt Sbrrl5
The ~ ol[nWNeImed Win theories formulated in
,st.,-.fr't' y "iH frightened by Spectras that
Gt.ht4mes sNiSt only in the microscope. or rather
way "i setting these questions for themselves and
hol HfreQuenty the public at large reaches CON
profession has really given them serious thought
,rti Ems W way IL mas come to pass that the cancer
Is hgi eatf tpl bN-
the aity for themselves, and being settled un-
cancer victim Al the present moment mere re is
leelhg OF unrest; almost OF terror in many in
stances. among those afflicted with cancer. Par
ucularly is this true of persons associated In one
has r,arsodl,- incroas@d ,ritl,i,, ~ - 80. i
at least in my own experience which, take it. is
cancer cases from day TO day,
Dr. Dainbridge then promuIgates points TO pa
uents as sort of solace to them and to their rela-
uvcs or friends They are
That the hereditary and congenital acquirement
oncTn are SuheCts Whcn REQUIRE % Hnrn StiGS ti
concerning them; that the contaglousntss or m
dcnce support the theory of contaEton or infeC-
tion is SO incomplete and inconclus'ye that the
public need not concern ltsclt WIN ~, Ihat the
public need merely be instructed 10 apply the same
precautionary measures as sioulu De nIouSSht a. 10 10
the danger OF the accidental requirement of cancer
nborcuIosis that in the care Of cancer cases there
- much more danger TO ne attend'mt ol septic IN
than from any possible acqurement of cancer: that
tho communication of cancer from man to man is
SO rare II II really occurs ut all that II pract
cally dsregarded that in cancer as in all other
disc. Sc attention TO diet oercise and propec
hvgienc surroundings is Of the utmost Importance;
thai cancer is local in its beginning: that, when
accessible. it may, in its ncipiency be removed by
radical operation perfectly that the chances are
ovrryv hcimngly in favor of it's non-YecuTrenCe and
that while other methods of treatment may. IN
snme cases offer nope for the cancer victim tho
evidence Is conclusive that surgery for Opera5e
cases, affords the sUrest means of cure
Professor James Ewing Of Cornell University.
and DR. r. j. Boebe, head of the Loomis I.abora-
tory said that DR.. Balnbrdge was right in re-
garding cancer practically ncn-transmissble.