Cancer and Its Complications

It is not easy to understand why this work was written. It contains nothing that is new, either in pathology or treatment, and much that is controversial or erroneous, or antiquated in both. The author in the preface gives, as reasons for the writing of the book, the elucidation of the following points: 1. Cancer is a local disease. 2. There are several varieties of cancer, distinguishable by their microscopic character; but the degree of malignancy of a cancerous growth depends not merely upon its structure, but upon its anatomical site. 4. The occurrence of cancer may often be prevented; and complete extirpation may be considered curative. 5. Further investigation of the action of certain specific drugs?among other things?is still needed. Evidence which has been advanced in favour of some mineral and vegetable substances cannot be disregarded.