98 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



constitutional conditions as gout, rheumatism and scrofula, and such 

 poisons as malaria, leprosy and syphilis ? The dermatologists, also, 

 have been foremost in the study of pathology and microscopic anat- 

 omy, upon which our present knowledge of cancer largely rests. 



The study of such a chronic disease as cancer, then, belongs very 

 naturally to the dermatologist, who has continually to do with mala- 

 dies often very destructive in character, which may last over months, 

 and sometimes years, although, as in many other affections, he may 

 require to call in the aid of others to accomplish certain ends ; as, 

 when the eye or throat is affected, or serious surgical or gynaecological 

 operations are to be performed, etc. ; the same may happen iu the 

 practice of any medical man. 



The surgeon, who naturally inclines toward operative interference, 

 is less likely to take an active interest in chronic cases and those unfit 

 for operation than one who sees the complaint more broadly, and 

 probably eai'lier, from its medical stand-point, and who seeks the aid of 

 the surgeon only in suitable cases, as occurs also in private practice. 

 In his endeavor to avoid the use of the knife he is the more inclined 

 to search for the cause of cancer and the means of reaching it medi- 

 cally, and is thus more nearly on the right track toward prevention 

 and cure than he who sees a case of cancer mainly from its operative 

 aspect. 



For the reasons here set forth, the New York Skin and Cancer 

 Hospital was planned several years since, and nearly two years ago the 

 foundation of the institution was laid by a few gentlemen, who signed 

 the certificate of incorporation, April 8, 1882. After very considerable 

 thought, and after conference with gentlemen well acquainted with 

 hospital work, and with a number of prominent medical men, it was 

 decided to organize the medical service upon this plan, and to have 

 the main conduct of the institution devolve largely upon those who 

 were well acquainted both with cancer in its various phases and with 

 also the other affections with which it might be confounded. 



But as it was recognized that many very serious operations have 

 constantly to be performed in connection with this disease, it was de- 

 termined to secure for the institution, and for the patients requiring 

 aid, the very best surgical skill obtainable. Believing that those con- 

 nected with other large hospitals, and in the habit of operating daily, 

 could operate more skillfully and successfully than those whose expe- 

 rience was more limited, it was decided to add to the medical staff two 

 operating surgeons, who should " perform such operations as are re- 

 quested by the attending physicians, subject, however, to their own 

 judgment and the advice of the consulting physicians and surgeons, if 

 desired." In this manner, while the disease is studied and cared for 

 medically, none need suffer for the lack of the best surgical aid when 

 required. 



It was also recognized that many operations upon women were bet- 



