The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-11-17

'eous disease is uncalled for.
Cancer OF the Lip: Chfonic irfita-
ton Is the most common cause. A
burn, crack, assure or ulcer of the
Up prevented from healing by any
constant irritation may change, from
benign to a malignant condition.
The disease is observed more COM
monty in farm laborers, sailors etc.
VINO are constantly exposed to Sc
we're weather conditions, than In
men who work indoors. Under such
conditions the lip may become dry,
easily cracked and slow to heal. Re.
moVN OF these benign "precan-
cerous" conditions is a slight opera.
ton which can be done under local
anesthesia and practically without
risk and they are all cured. .Such
conditions, however INST not be con-
fused with real cancer of the lip. A
precaneerous lesion here, as always;
Is benign lesion, and therefore has
no tendency to reoccur. By curing
such conditions however, true can
Ger may be presented. -..- Ill.
Cancer of the Tongue: This is often
caused by excessive smoking and
broken teeth. Immediately upon dis
covering an ulcer on the tongue, a
competent physician should be con.
suited. 20
Fake Cures and Quacks
Cancer cure" advertisements are
swindles. Such cures" are gener-
ally speaking, of two classes:
Drugs for internal use in connect
ion with certain antiseptic washes.
While these may be harmless, they
are valueless and by their use vitality
important time is lost, while the
cancer develops beyond the durable
stage.
Pastesa or poultices containing
strong chemical caustics. Except
when used as already. indicated
these are worse than useless. They
may stimulate the cancer and make
1t grow MORE rapidly; or they may
eat off the top and leave the bottom
spreading in deeply, on the whole
causing loss of invaluable time.
advertising specialists" and "insti-
tutes," when they are not outright
fabrications, are usually based on
the removal of conditions which
were not cancer at all. Not only Is
cancer itself a disease Of many
forms; but there are numerous con-
ditions not actually cancer but ap-
preaching the disease In appearance,
which can be used by INSCRIPTIONS
takers in preying upon the fears and
pocketbook of the unfortunate and
uniformed patient.
Radiufn and X-Rays: These
methods Of treatment are Of definite
usefulness, especially In certain
types of superficial cancer as those
which appear on the skin IN old
people. In some cases they may be
very useful in helping to complete
tho ctir0ipa1 nnra hy hnaIir NV
small lump which appears after the
operation. They are also lecog-
nized treatment for cancer which
has gone so far that it cannot DO
operated upon.
In general the value of radium is
not finally determined though tha
outlook for its usefulness is hope
full.
Great care should be taken IN Sc.
lecting physician to give the treat
ment with X-rays or radium be-
cause only a few doctors have
enough .radium for proper treat
ment and only a few know how to
administer, without burning the pa
tient seriously, the large quantities
of Xrays which are necessary to
produce good effects.
Summary and Conclusion.
The ravages of this disease can
be diminished by the dissemination OF
knowledge leading toSts early rec
ognition by the patfent and physi-
clan The American Society for the
Control of Cancer. the various med
ica1 societies, boards of health, in
surance companies, women's clubs
and other agencies are endeavoring
to bring to the people the message
of hone tAat cancer is durable in q
majority Of cases If treated early.
These facts are being established By
the work of research laboratories
and hospitals and the improving
statistics Of clinics, insurance com
panies and public authorities.
The following points should be re-
membered:
One. Cancer Is not a, "blood dis
ease" but always starts as a local
affair." Hence 1t can always be cured
by removal IL discovered early
enough. .....
Two. Cancer in the beginning may
cause no pain or other symptom Of
i'll health.
Three. Cancer is probably not
hereditary.
Four Cancer is not contagious.
Five. No up to date doctor viii
treat condition that might mean
cancer without thorough examina-
ion. Is. VS.. &C.,.
Six. The cancer patient must learn
to seek treatment as promptly as a
patient with ai,uendicitis