Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-05-25


Disease Is Hereditary or Not-In Its
First Stage It Is Curable-How tho
Malignant Growths Spread.
"Ihe word Cancer" says Worlds
Work, though it figures largely in
popular speech is used with less and
less frequency in medical literature.
lhere IS probably no word comprehen-
slVe enough to include all the kinds Of
abnormal growths to which the human
frame is subject Cancer is merely
one shape in which this tendency to
lnalformation manifests itself.
The human body in its ideal condi-
tlon Is symmetrical product. 1t con-
SlSts OF a multitude Of parts, each de-
VeIOplng not only with reference to it.
self, but in perfect harmony with the
rest or the organism. A subtle influ-
ence known as the power of organiza-
ton, regulates this highly important
matter. An arm, a leg. Il nose, q chin
any organ or member which one cares
to name-dOes not develop independ-
emily, but preserves important rela-
tons with the rest of the body. Our
four fingers and thumbs have constant
ly in mind the rights of one another
When one reaches certain size il
does not keep on growing. but stops.
If it still went on single finger would
reach length of several feet IN a life.
time
ANY observant person, however, is
aware that this law is constantly vio-
lated. On almost any part Of the body
little Independent growths start into
existence. These are composed of mi
mute groups of rebelious cells. small
| colonies which for some reason ignore
this law of development and start on
| an independent existence of their own.
They serve no physiological purpose.
When harmless, as they frequently
are. they are merely inconvenient
hlemishes. When dangerous they end
by destroying life.
Mild manifestations of this lawless
tendency are the queer formations com
monty known as warts and moles.
There are other more noteworthy pro-
tuberances, such as 'wens.' that grow
inexplicably frequently upon the scalp,
reach a certain size, and then stop.
This latter growth belongs to the gen
! eral class of tumOrs known as be-
nign. They are benign simply because
after developing sluggishly to certain
point their growth is mysteriously ar
! rested Between benign tumors and
the most malignant cancers there is
only this difference: That the latter
have the power of unlimited growth.
The true cancer. once started on its
riotous career, keeps on and digs deep
into healthy surrounding tissue and
destroys it, until finally, for variety
of reasons. it kills the patient. In some
cases n benign growth which has re-
manned quiescent for years suddenly
develops a new vitality and becomes
malignant. There are those who main
tain. though the occurrence is certain
ly rare. that a harmless wart may
sometimes develop into a genuine can
Ger. The point TO be brought in mind
is that all these abnormal grOwths are
related that the only thing that makes
one malignant and another not is this
tendency to keep growing.
"A genuine cancer in it's final stages
has another development 1t no long
er confines its activity to the original
seat. but starts new cancers in other
parts OF the body. Certain groups Of
cancer cells break away from the pri-
mary headquarters, escape into the
blood stream and start new grOwths
elsewhere. This is the phenomenon
known as 'generaliZed cancer"
Millions of dollars have been devoted
to the study OF cancer and its cure, and
every known scientist is wide awake to
the study of the disease and to grasp
hold of anything that may indicate n
possibility Of its alleviation. The
points upon which the authorities on
cancer in this country agree, says the
New York World. are as follows:
First.-Cancer in its first stage is
local and is durable.
NeCOIu.-l ue CuuSeS VI CduteI are uOL
known.
Third.-It is not known whether or
not cancer Is hereditary.
Fourth.-There is absolutely no cure
for cancer except to cut it. out.
Fifth.-Go to a physician at the first
sign of trouble. Preferably. be exam
ined by a physician at freGuent inter
walls anyhow.
Sixth.-The idea that cancer in plants
may give rise to cancer in man is fan
tastic. Tumors are not contagious.
Seventh.-Radium does not perma-
nently cure internal cancer. 1t may
check the growth for awhile. but soon
er or later 1t comes back. Popular be-
lief in radium is based on the fact that
only the occasional cures are heard
from-not the failures. The failures
outnumber the cures 100 TO l.