CANCER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 54

CANCER.

One of. the most remarkable of the | many experiments made of late in the treatment of cancer has been reported by Professor Doj-en, the noted Paris surgeon, to the French Academy of Sciences. He lias been treating a number of sufferers from the disease with injections of poison derived from the micrococcus neoformaus, a microbe whose presence for years past be has observed in neoplastic tumours of rapid groivth. Its action is described as similar to that of tuberoulin on consumptive patients. The injection is made through the more lleshy parts of the body, and in those cases in Avhich the disease has not involved some vital organ or produced a general state of debility, the toxin “arrests the groAvth and brings about immunity from further advance of the malady.” Professor Doyen states that out of 47 cases treated in this manner he has so far obtained 21 cures. The number of experiments Avith- cancer and theories concerning it Avhich have been discussed and discredited Avithin the last year or tivo is so great that doctors have come to regard any further report as to a “cure” with distrust. But Dr. Doyen’s professional and scientific eminence has secured an unusual degree of attention for his statei inent, and several French, English and German surgeons luia'o placed themselves in communication with him on the sub- , ject. A current theory in .England respecting cancer in Avomen is that it is largely —or mainly as one authority asserts —produced by wearing corsets. Dr Herbert Snow is one Ayell-known specialist avlio maintains that stays are the “chief” cause of cancer in women.lt is suggested that there should be a “world ! congress'” of specialists to discuss the i various efforts made of late to investigate and treat the disease.