The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-10-07
CANCER A PUZZLE
In Many of Its Phases 1t Battles
Medical Science. =
ITS CAUSES ARE NOT KNOWN.

Netner is It Revealed Whether the
Disease Is Hereditary or Net--ln Its
First Stage 1t Is Curable--1ow the
Malignant Growths Spread Azs ses
1.-THE word cancer" says Worlds
Work, though it figures largely in
popular speech. is used with less and
less frequency in medical literature.
There is probably no word comprehen-
sive 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
malformation manifests itself.
The human body in It's ideal condi
ton is symmetrical product. 1t con
slstS of a multitude Of parts, each de-
yeloping not only with reference TO it
self. but in perfect harmony with the
rest of the organism. \ subtle intlu-
ence. known us the power Of organize
ton, regulates this highly important
matter. An arm. Il leg Il nose, Il chin
any organ or member which one cares
to name-does not develop independ-
entity. but preserves important rela-
tons with the rest of the body. Oul
four fingers and thumbs have constant
ly in mind the rights of one another.
When one reaches certain size it
does not keep on growing. but stops.
If it still went on single finger would
reach a length Of several feet in life
time.
ANY obServant person, however. Is
aware that this law is constantly vi0-
lated. On almost any part of the body
little Independent growths start into
existence. These are composed of mi
mute groups of rebellious cells, small
colonies which for some reason ignore
this law of development and start on
nm independent existence of their own.
They serve no physiological purpose.
When harmless, as they frequently
are. they are merely announcement
blemiShes. When dangerous they end
by destroying life.
Mild manifestations of this lawless
tendency are the queer formations com
monty known as warts and m0les.
There are other more noteworthy pro
tuberanceS, such rs 'wens. that grow
iueXplcably. frequently upon the scalp
reach 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 a 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.
"rhe true cancer, Once started on fts
riotous career, Keeps on and digs deep
into healthy surrounding tissue and
destroys it, until finally. for variety
of reasons. il kills the patient. In some
cases Il benign growth which has re
manned quieseent for years suddenly
develops new vitality and becomes
malignant. There are those who main
tain. though the occurrence is certain
~ rare that Il harmless wart may
sometimes develop into "A genuine can
Ger. The point to be brought in mind
is that all these abnormal growths art
related that the only thing that makes
one malignant and another not is this
tendency to keep growing.
"A genuine cancer in its final stages
has another development. 1t no long.
or confines it's 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 'generalzed cancer
Millions of dollars have been devoted
10 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 alienation. The
points upon which the authorities on
cancer In this country agree. says the
New York World. are as follows:
First.-Caneer in its first stage is
local and Is durable.
Second.-The causes of cancer are not
known.
Thiri.-It Is not known whether or
not cancer is hereditary.
Fourth.-There is absolutely no cure
for cancer except to cut II ont.
Fifth.-Go to q physician at thu first
sign OF trouble. Preferably be exam
ined by a physician ut FREQUENT inter.
walls anyhow.
Sixth-The idea that cancer in plants
may give rise e. cancer in man Is fan
tasth. Tumors are not contiguous.
Standardization does not perma-
nently cure internal cancer. n may
check the growth for awhile. but soon
er or later il 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.
a Good Sign.