THE CANCER
PROBLEM 119
absent,
neither the asexual structures of a fish development nor the cells of
chorio-epithelioma do, or can, degenerate.
Under
the conclusions already advanced regarding the nature of cancer as an
irresponsible trophoblast, in consideration of the facts regarding the acid
and eroding action of the trophoblast and of carcinoma, and in respect of the
fact that in the absence of a completed embryo or foetus and its pancreatic
secretion the trophoblast may become one of the most deadly of malignant
tumours — chorio-epithelioma — it must be clear that nature itself has possibly
provided a remedy for cancer and the pernicious (intracellular) cancerous
digestion of the trophoblast in the secretion of that important digestive
gland, the pancreas. This structure, I understand, is very rarely the seat of a
primary carcinoma, and almost never of a sarcoma.* Moreover, it is very
important
(continued from p 118) its parts, begins to nourish itself
by an alkaline pancreatic digestion, and with a ferment known as trypsin. If
this latter be wanting, the asexual generation, the trophoblast, may become a
malignant tumour of the deadliest description; in its presence it becomes
harmless and slowly degenerates. Clearly, then, since cancer is an
irresponsible trophoblast, the ferment, which brings about the degeneration of
this in normal development ought to possess potency when directed against the
cells of a malignant tumour.” For reasons of scientific priority, which also
led me to read to the audience the abstract of my Liverpool lecture, published
next day in full in the Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury, it seems
desirable to draw attention to this matter here also.
* Two recently recorded cases of tumours of the pancreas may be cited.
In the Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 1904, p. 479, Herr Ury,
“Berichtet uber einen Fall von Pancreas-carcinom mit Fett - Stühlen, welche
durch Darreichung von Pancreon wesentlich gebessert wurden,” and in the Journal
of Medical Research, Boston, 1902, vol. viii., pp. 385-395, A. G. Nicholls
records a “simple adenoma of the pancreas.” The first shows that the pancreas
was not properly functioning, while the second, in which the tumour was not
larger than a marrowfat pea, illustrates the difficulties encountered by
tumours in this organ.