already numerous, and new uses for it are constantly found by investigators. Generally speaking, the adrenalin when locally applied is the most powerful astringent and hemostatic known. It is useful to the dentist in hemorrhage after the extraction of teeth. If it be applied in the strength between 1:1,000 and 1:10,000 it is useful to subdue the inflamed or irritated gum. By applying it on a piece of cotton it will be noticed that the red, inflamed gums turn white, showing that the blood has been forced out of the capillary veins, and this condition will remain from fifteen minutes to one hour, according to the strength of the solution used and also to the duration of the application. It is also valuable in the carrying out of the bloodless operations, such as in crowning teeth or in the treatment of pyorrhea, etc. Another useful property of this agent is its stimulating action on the heart. It is well known that some hearts are very sensitive to the use of cocain. This undesirable effect is counteracted by the use of a small quantity of this adrenalin solution, either before or using it together with cocaine. It has produced good results in circulatory failures, for the prevention of collapse in anesthesia, and in allied conditions. It is indicated in the condition produced by morphine and opium poisoning; from a few drops to a few cubic centimeters, taken by the mouth to be absorbed by the mucous membrane, usually give the desired effect. Adrenalin is a light white micro-crystalline substance, which presents itself in five or six different forms of crystals. It has a slightly bitter taste, leaving a numb feeling on the tongue where it has been touched. It is perfectly stable in dry form, and possesses a slightly alkaline reaction, showing that it is the basic portion of the natural form of the active principle of the glands. It is difficultly soluble in water. It forms various salts with acid, which is a convenient form to use for practical purposes. The solution gives a characteristic green coloration with ferric chlorid, and produces a pink to red color with gold chlorid solution. It is a strong reducing agent and may be available for other than medicinal purposes. The crystal is over one thousand times stronger that the original fresh gland. I believe that the isolation of the active principle of the suprarenal capsules ranks as one of the most important steps in the progress of medical science. The discovery of chloroform, Pasteur's discovery of disease germs, and the discovery of antitoxin are the other great steps of progress in the medical and surgical sciences. The discovery of the active principle of the suprarenal glands will stimulate further discoveries as to the active principles of various other organs of animal bodies. All the drugs heretofore have been derived from the vegetable and mineral kingdoms. We can readily imagine that if the various active principles of the animal organs be isolated, how simple and yet how efficient the healing art must become.-Cosinos. Hagee's Cordial of Cod Liver Oil. The administratian of the active principle of Cod Liver Oil in an agreeable form was originally provided for by the Katharmon Chemical Co., in their Hagee's Cordial of Cod Liver Oil. With each succeeding year it has grown in popularity. It is so attractive in its character that it will be accepted by the most delicate palate and stomach. It is not a disturber of digestion, but a stimulator of the appetite as well as a blood and nerve builder.-The Medi-. cal Mirror. Summer Complaint. The mucous membrane of the gastro-enteric tract rids itself of the inciting material of summer complaint with the assistance of very little internal medication, though this act is not performed without making a demand upon the general storehouse of energy. Add to this the depression caused by toxemic absorption, and the marked exhaustion of an acute attack is readily explained. Probably there is no better aid to further beneficial medication than Antiphlogistine applied warm and thick over the entire abdomen, the dressing to be immediately covered with absorbent cotton and a suitable compress. Peristaltic spasm is at once reduced, intestinal comfort promoted, and refreshing slumber invited. Acting reflexly, Antiphlogistine restores the muscular tone of the intestinal walls, and energizes the entire economy to resist the prostration from summer complaint so common to infant and adult during, the humid months. PACIFIC MEDICAL JOURNAL VOL. XLVI. SEPTEMBER, 1903. No. 9 THE Original Articles. TREATMENT OF CANCER, LUPUS, AND With Concentrated Sun's Rays, Compared With Other By O. V. THAYER, M.D. It is generally conceded that cancer, lupus, and allied diseases are increasing in number from year to year, and the percentage of deaths is alarming. Although cancerous diseases have been studied and thoroughly investigated for years by some of the brightest minds in the profession, yet very little is known to-day as to their true nature and etiology. We do not know what cancer is. Consequently the treatment is, in a great measure, empirical. During the last half of the century many remedies have been advised and used for the cure of cancer; some of them heralded as nearly or certain specifics; but after long use proved to be abortive, useless. Any internal remedy that will cure cancer is yet to be discovered; therefore the treatment necessarily resolves itself to the province of the surgeon. Our only hope is surgical methods, with the addition of well-known hygienic and general sanitation. The agents now in general use in the treatment of malignant growths are the knife, cauteries, arsenical and other pastes, the endermatic introduction of destructive fluids directly into the morbid tissue, sharp curette, X-rays, electric and Finsen light, and last, but not least, the concentrated sun's rays (solar cautery). Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. In the use of these several agents the surgeon has but one object in view, to wit: the complete destruction of the malignant tissue. Unless this is accomplished failure is certain. I am convinced from large experience and observation that this class of diseases, in a VOL. XLVI-33 large majority of cases, is local in the earlier stages of its existence, but if neglected will sooner or later become general and constitutional. I would fail in my duty to the afflicted did I not warn surgeons and their patients of the danger of procrastination. All suspicious growths should receive immediate attention-not wait for future development. It is during the local status of the disease that a cure can be warranted. A case in point: Several years ago a mother called at my office with her daughter, a young woman in her teens, asking advice. The girl had on her left cheek an epithelioma the size of a twobit piece, an open ulcer of seven years' duration. In the meantime she had consulted twenty physicians and surgeons, all, with one exception, advising waiting for future development of the disease. This one exception advised its removal with the knife. At one sitting, lasting some fifteen minutes, I destroyed with concentrated sun's rays the cancer, the wound healing in four weeks, leaving very little scar.. After suffering mentally and physically seven years, she was cured in twenty-eight days. I have learned by long experience in the treatment that when the disease is attacked by any method of treatment, the sooner the destruction the safer, as the irritation following the procedure stimulates the lymphatic vessels and increases their activity, increasing the liability of carrying the cancer cells into the general circulation, only to be deposited later in the internal viscera. The Knife.-Subjects of cancer, more especially the timid and nervous, usually object to the use of the knife. Cutting should be avoided when other means will answer and succeed. The surgeon, not the patient, should decide this matter, however. In certain regions of the body the knife is most appropriate, and does better work. Then there are other conditions where only the knife can be used successfully, such as very large growths, where a radical operation removes all of the diseased tissue at once; also all needful operations in the cavities of the body. Sharp Curette.-Curetting is a favorite treatment of dermatologists for the removal of skin cancers. It has few advocates however. It is not easy to remove entirely the diseased products. At the same time great injury results to the healthy tissues, followed by an inflammation, which stimulates the morbid tissues to increased vigor. Instead of benefiting, it often produces great injury. Actual Cautery.-This cautery formerly was used in the treatment of skin cancer, erectile tumors and dreaded hemorrhages. It does its work quickly and well. Its use, however, is attended with great pain and inflammation, ending in unsightly cicatrices. Chemical Caustics.-These are the arsenical and other pastes applied to the surface of malignant growths, as the endermatic introduction of destructive fluids directly into the diseased tissues. All of these have curative power, and act in a similar manner by destroying tissue. They should be selected and used with much care and attention, as they are liable to extend to the healthy structure adjoining, thereby prolonging the healing, and leaving large scars, which should be prevented, especially on parts exposed to view. Another danger attending the use of caustics is their corrosive action on blood vessels and other vital tissues, resulting in hemorrhages and death. I now come to the most interesting and instructive part of this article, namely: the curative powers of light, heat and colored rays in the destruction and cure of malignant growths. Those who have read much that has been published during the last decade of the curative virtues of X-rays, electric and Finsen light, also concentrated sun's rays of light and heat, and, more recently, the newlydiscovered chemical product, radium, with its properties of giving off continuous heat and light (Dr. Davidson, of Charing Cross Hospital, London, has recently reported a case of cancer cured by the rays of heat and light given off from this wonderful metal), will readily conclude that in the future experiments and discoveries in light, heat and colored rays, added to the knowledge we already possess, rest the future success in the treatment and cure of one of the most malignant and fatal diseases afflicting humanity. Scientists and investigators are giving more attention than heretofore to the remarkable properties of light and heat, and more particulary to colored rays, especially since the discovery of those wonderful radioactive substances, radium and palonium, but also to the deeper manifestations of light so imperfectly understood, |