INCREASE OF CANCER.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 147, 25 September 1895, Page 4

INCREASE OF CANCER.

Mr G. W. Russell, M.H.R., drew tlio attention of the Government and ; the House lately to the increasing mortality from that dread disease i cancer, which lie said had grown up j from 177 in 1885-to 408 in 1891. He thought these figures warranted the (iovorument in setting up a Royal | Commission to inquire into the sub-, ject, and to report thereon at the earliest possible moment. That these figures are alarming no one can deny, and that they are correct will bo conceded readily by those who have acknowledge of the subject. Our readers have only to look around them and to count up how many of their friends or relatives have passed away lately from this fearful disease, which, once it has reached a certain stage, is sure to end the life of the uui'ortuato patient after a protracted season of teriiblo sufferings. There must be some spec'fic cause for this r alarming increase in the death rate from this loathsome disease, and the general opinion is that it is directly traceable to the consumption, of beef and milk from cancerous cattle. 80 long as there is no inspection of slaughtering operations the health of '.lie public is at the mercy of slaughtermen, who as a rule are not particular as to the health of the beasts they kill provided they will pass muster when dressed and exposed for sale. It is easy to cut out a tumor or other fibrous growth and to dispose of the rest of tho curcase to the unsuspecting public: hence perhaps the increasing number of human deaths from cancer. The inspection of dairies has already been of great service inasmuch as it has compelled milk sellers to keep their premises clean and to refrain from milking diseased cows. But there is no such safeguard against the milk of such animals being utilised for butter and cheese making, aud the health of the general public being jeopardised thereby, If the disease is to be stamped out it is absolutely necessary that means should beadopted to prevent the possibility of either the meat or milk of cancerous cattle being sold for human Oonsumplion< The only way to efficiently guard against the danger from the milk of such cattle being sent into the market, cither in its raw slate or ns cheese or butter, would he t> insist upou it being sterilised before being used, so that the disease geitns it might contain would be rendered inocuous and the milk powerless to spread disease. That milk is one of the most easily tainted products which enter into the food supply of the human race is known to all, and yet it is allowed to he offered for sr.'e without any real safeguard being adopted to ensure its purity and freedom from disease germs. When sanitary laws are held in as high, esteem a" those for the orotection of property it will be held to be criminal to vend the meat and dairy produce from diseased cattle as to steal a man's purse. Indeed, it is a worse thing to do, as such a disregard of human life may cause the death of dozens of innocent people, whilst the loss of a man's purse, annoying though it may be at the time is seldom followed by the loss of the owner's life.