The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-02
Our knowledge of Cancer.

thanks caution against slippery ice,
a racing automobile. an ocean SWIM,
and many hazards we'll known to in
volve mortal risk, custom and only
custom rules against attentions to the
early signs of cancer. 1t is therefore
the purpose aud earnest endeavor of
the American Society for the Control
of Cancer, and all who are engaged in
the campaign against malignant dis
ease to modernize custom in this re-
spect and to establish a premium on
that wary intelligence which will per-
init an educated man or woman to rec
osnlze tho approach of danger and
take the saving steps in time. DR.. AL
fred Russell Wallace once said that
tho nineteenth century had done more
than all previous time in the pursuit
of knowledge essential to human well
fare and had done less than any 9TH
or time to make that knowledge avail
able for human needs. The twentieth
century begins with far more deliber-
ate attention to this need. Intclli-
gent people everywhere and espe-
cially in America are more and more
inclined to apply the standard Of utii-
ity to the products Of science. In
choosing among the lines Of scientific
endeavor we ask and demand that
their relation to human welfare should
be prominently considered.
Not long ago an eminent association
OF specialists in cancer research pub
licly stated it's belief that new and
old knowledge of this disease is not ef-
fectively employed and that it is not
necessary to know all about the ma
ture and causes Of cancer in order to
limit it's mortality. These scientists
before turning back to their labora-
tories to delve deeper into the mys-
teries Of malignant disease, did not
fail to discharge their immediate re-
sponsibility to the cause Of human
welfare. With whatever influence
they possessed they urged the need
of a country wide effort to dissemi-
nate the present knowledge Of cancer
both In the medical profession and
among the people generally. This call
was characterized by a tacit assur-
ance to medical and lay enthusiasts
that we are not about to witness the
miracle of universal cure for ad-
vanced cancer but may accomplish al
through early diagnosis and treat
ment. The society subsequently organ
lied to carry On this campaign believes
thac every man and woman should be
acquainted with the early signs Of
preventable and durable cancer, and
that this knowledge when fully dis
will very greatly reduce
the number Of deaths and the number
of advanced cases.
There is much about cancer that is
obscure. We do not know. why the re-
bellious tissue cells grow wild and de-
stroy their host. We may never know.
Neither do we know the cause Of
or chemical affinity. These
are ultimate facts about nature that
are inaccessible to solution, but this
ignorance does not prevent us from
making considerable use of gravity
and chemistry. What VIC do know
about cancer are the conditions lead
ing up to 1t and the proper use Of this
by the individual will very
largely protect him. This knowledge
Is a very small part Of the subject but
1t is sufficient for the present to ac-
great results.
The fact of the greatest practical
Importance In our present knowledge
Of cancer Is that the disease In Its
early stages is purely local and can
be successfully removed from the sys-
tenn by surgical means. In the sec
ond place We know that irritation in
many different ways plays a most i'm
portant part in the development of the
various forms Of cancer. This knowl-
edge gives an important direction to
efforts toward prevention and cure.
The sources OF constant irritation to
any part of the body should be ro-
moved.
In external cancer there is some
thing to he seen or felt, such as
wart, a mole, lump or sc&b, or an
unhealcd wound or sore. Pain is
rarely present. Cancer inside the
body is often recognized by symptoms
before a lump can be seen or r",t. Con-
tinuing indigestion. with loss of weight
AMI change of color is especially sus-
picious. Persistent abnormal dis
charge should arouse suspicion of can
Ger. particularly If the discharge Isl