General Secondary Carcinoma of the Bones: Osteomalacia Carcinomatosa

We not infrequently meet with cases of primary and of secondary cancer of the bones, and probably if microscopical examination were made post-mortem in every case of secondary cancer it would be found that secondary infection of the bones is not nearly so uncommon as has been hitherto believed. But there are not on record many cases of general secondary cancer of the bones, and still fewer of such general infection associated with softening due to the morbid process, presenting features resembling osteomalacia?osteomalacia carcinomatosa. As the following case is an example of this rare condition it is of more than common interest. It is invested with additional interest because of the long time which elapsed between the removal of the primary focus and the manifestation of any symptoms which might be taken as an indication of secondary infection, because of the absence of deposit in the cicatrix and glands, and also because of the microscopical appearances in the bone. Mrs P., a lady of rheumatic constitution, was in 1878 confined