THE CANCER MICROBE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6514, 17 June 1899, Page 7

THE CANCER MICROBE.

. Dr Bra, the discoverer of the microbe of cancer, has been interviewed by the "Morning Post" Paris correspondent. The learned doctor was very . cautious, and insisted that ifc was too soon to speak of the discovery of a cure. Matters had, nevertheless, he said, got so far that studies were being made in several liospitals, and favourable results. had been attained, which raised hopes ; but it would be months yet before any definite announcement eculd be made. The bacilli, of tuberculosis were discovered seven years ago, but the serum had not been found yet. It was possible, however, that cancer lymph might be easier to find. " What I have succeeded in doing," said Dr Bra, "is to isolate and cultivate a parasite from cancerous tumours, and with the result thereof to produce cancer in animals. The parasite is of the fungus family, and is certainly the specific agent in cancer." Dr Bra, who is a man of fifty years of age, hasjnade a special study of bacteriology, and he was led almost by the force of circumstances to make his present remarkable discovery. Some four years ago attempts to find a remedy for cancer were made by inoculating donkeys with a Cencerous extract, in the hope of finding a lvmnh. These researches failed ; but ever since then Dr Bra has continued the researches in his private laboratory, devoting himself almost exclusively to his task.