THE PROBLEMS OF CANCER 105
one?
This would be one the memories of which could but result in a malignant
tumour—that is to say, one mimicking the structure of correct chorion. If this
be true, we have in chorio-epithelioma merely a form of cancer arising very
early in the life of the individual, and invading a new host, the unfortunate
mother.
The
things that we have been dealing with are startling enough, and it may be
asked, What steps are being taken to apply them in practice and to carry our
embryological knowledge of the malignant neoplasms still further? Practically
none. Beyond the boundaries of Edinburgh, I am not aware that at the present
time the embryological aspects of the malignant tumours (in the sense of my conceptions
of that science as opposed to the utterly erroneous fairy-tales of the
textbooks) are receiving any particular attention. Abroad, for example, the
leading investigators appear to be hopelessly at sea.* In cancer research,
momentous as it is for human welfare and hopes, there is far, far too much
industrious but futile digging in culs-de-sac. But there is a gleam of hope for
the immediate future. Authorities connected with a great institution which is
distinguished for its rapid and wonderful advances in scientific research have
for some little time been considering and elaborating a scheme by which cancer
research within its walls may be placed shortly under the direction of an able
embryologist.** If this be done, the first important step in Great Britain will
have been taken towards the proper recognition and
* Judging by the
recent investigations of Abderhalden and his pupils, and those of Blumenthal
and Neuberg, as described in the Introduction, this is now (1911) not
the case. As it has turned out in the sequel, cancer was vulnerable along at
least two lines of attack, the embryological one, and the stereo-chemical one.
It is really along the latter that the above observers are, slowly but surely,
advancing.
** This did not take
place.