Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-21


so clear and the clinician must con-
slider responsible for the disease.
II other cases. the treatment Of
septice foci win not at once give
relief from symptoms, and increase
In general symptoms frequently
follows the removed Of tonsils and
infected teeth. thus destroying the
patients faith in the doctrine OF
focal infection. The occurrence OF
fatal seuticemia followed opera
t.ons on infected organs
The infection about a tooth may
not give rise to any symptoms OF
which the patient Is conscious. and
yet to the physician or dentist be
clearly the cause Of even remote
symptoms.
The great difficulty in tracing
cause and effect in these cases has
also caused come physicians to dis
trust the principle OF focal infection
II Is assumed that IL the search
Is through extensive the offending
inflammatory lesion will be found.
If the lesion Is latent and obscure,
extra precaution is necessary IN
arriving at a diagnosis.
In the realm Of speculation most
men are equal. I have no data upon
which I might base a definite con-
clusion in regard 10 the matter. %
must indulge In a bit OF specula-
ton in regard to the possibility
and even probability. Ii focal in
lection which has thus had oppor-
tunity for long and continued ir-
ritation. must be very positive and
definite in this connection. The
freedom from cance enjoyed by
the American Indian. and by all
a~borigines. SO far as we are in
formed. must be significant in this
connection. Not until the abb
origine has become a part Of civil
lied life does the element of focal
infection become OF any Importance.
and not until then does he, as a
rule. become a victim of cancer.
II is not a stretch of speculative
thought to assume a specific effect
for the irritating principles infOcal
infection. thereJv accounting for
cancer in different parts Of the body
for the disease In children. and for
all exceptional circumstances Of
malignancy.
Neither is Z a transgression of
scientific thought to assume that
the effects of focal infection upon
the endocrines might be that Of the
Illuminating cap In the discharge
OF powder Powder Is a combination
Of very inactive clements. as a
matter OF fact. a chemical COM
bination which stays fixed and is
perfectly harmless until something
happens TO start its elements or the
rampage. Once started no reason
able physical agency known to mar
will c0nfine them. The cells or the
body under normal condition de-
velOp in en- orderly mannef, and
do no harm. In ance we see them
run wild. and we find that they
can be controlled tlly rs exploding
powder is controlled. by giving them
an outlet in other words. by ex-
cising them or destroying all tissue
around about them.
There is much 1T to be learned
Of the chemistry OF the animal
body. particularly that Of the hui
nan animal. BiOlC lists and chem
lists are combining their efforts in
this particular.
Not many physicians who must
follow their profession as a vocation
and live upon the roceeds of prac-
tice. may do a great deal in the
field Of original scientific research.
but 1t must be borne in mind that
many OF the great discoveries not
only in medicine but in other
sciences useful 10 man, have been
made by busy men who found
II necessary to make their livelihood
in other directions than those of
their respective discoveries. "A con-
tribution TO mans knowledge Of
malignant diseases would be an
accomplishment of which any
physician might well be proud. IT
Is to be hoped that there may be
those Of our number who will give
this problem thought, lot alone
along the lines of my humble sug-
gestion. but in all other partic-
ulars.
The field Of focal infection Is SO
broad that our program could in
any instance be an outline only.
1t Is hoped that this meeting will
be an incentive to the profession
for more detailed study Of the
disease pictures which focal in
lection produces. The solution re-
quires careful histories. painstaking
observations. and consultations be-
tween specialists In all lines. includ-
ing dentists, pathologists and roen-
Psychologists.
To the end that we may enlarge
our general knowledge of this puz-
cling disorder. and that u pro-
fession may advance toward that
goal Of usefulness that was visual
lied by our first President. DR..
I Cupples. this meeting Is dedicated.