Evening star., 1930-06-04
CANCER OF MOUTH
LAID TO TOBACCO
Johns Hopkins Doctor Ex-
pounds Theory Before
Medical Society.
By the Associated Press.


HARRISBURG, Pa, June 4.-Pro-
tracted use of tobacco was called the
principal, though remote, cause Of
mouth cancer at a meeting today of the
Dauphin County Medical Society.
It also was said that tobacco may be
rid of much of it's danger by cleanli-
ness of the mouth.
There Is no question:" said DIR. Jo-
Seph Colt Bloodgood of Johns HapkinS,
that the most common cause of cancer
of the mouth today is the long contin-
ued use of tobacco. The second is
ragged, dirty teeth. Cancer of the
mouth must have been very rare be-
fore the discovery of tobacco in
America.
1T Is since the discovery of tobacco
that we have learned that some bar
barous tribes in Africa have cancer
Of the mouth following the chewing OF
betel nuts. 1t was the smoking OF the
short pipe In Ireland that first called
attention to cancer of the mouth and
lip. We have no evidence, now that
We have our recent experience, that 1t
makes much difference whether 1t is
pipe, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobac-
CO or snuff, or betel nut. Apparently
1t is the irritation that la the chief
cause.
Women Rarely Have Cancer.
'"The fact that women rarely have
cancer OF the mouth as compared with
men Is in favor of the conclusion that
tobacco is more predominant cause
than teeth. Cancer of the mouths of
women in this country were first OBJ
served among women who used snuff
and who took very little care of their
teeth. Cancer is undoubtedly more
frequently observed in men who use
tobacco in any form and do not take
good care of their teeth
Smoking today among women Is
usually among those who keep their
teeth clean and smooth and are under
the frequent care OF dentists My ObSer-
vationS show that the most common
cause OF mouth cancer among women
today Is due to the use of snuff, ILL
fitting plates, the absolute neglect of
areas OF irritation and sores produced
by ragged teeth or rough and dirty
teeth.
"The modern woman has therefore
demonStrated-and this should be
good example to men-that smoking Is
rid OF much OF its dangers when the
teeth are kept in perfect order and the
use OF tobacco in any form is diScon-
tinued the moment a sore spot or q
white spot is observed, or any lrrita-
tlon OF the mouth. 1t should not be
difficult TO teach this to children in
the primary schools and to continue
this instruction in later life.
Refuses Aid to Reformers.
There are many people in this coun-
try who have formed strong organiza-
tionS who are attempting to deprive by
law everyone Of tobacco and are using
the danger of cancer as an argument.
rave refused to give them aid or to
agree with their conclusions as to
tobacco and cancer.
MY evidence convinces me that
everyone should know that the only
treatment for any irritation produced
by tobacco, with and without the Sec
ondary factor Of teeth or plates, Is the
discrimination of the tobacco It is
dangerous experiment to try radiation
and the continuation of the tobacco.
Reduction OF the amount of tobacco Is
not sufhcient. Dangers are encountered
and lives lost by any compromise. I
| write with the courage of my conyic-
tions, after study Of more than 40
years, and our records in the surgical
pathological laboratory of the Johns
Hopkins Hospital cover almost 1000
cases"
Among repeated references to tobacco,
DR.. Bloodgood called 1t remote
danger of cancer"