24 Kansas Academy of Science. 



could be communicated." There are a number of cases on rec- 

 ord of nurses who devoted most of their time to the care of 

 cancer patients, and almost aU of these nurses have cancer. 



Professor Wooster said he was interested and somewhat 

 surprised at Doctor Mc\Miai'fs statement last year of the 

 mortality- due to cancer, and wanted to know his present idea 

 on this point. 



Doctor Mc^Miarf : "We have not improved that any." 



Professor Bailey said it seemed to him rather remarkable 

 that sulphates should be accused of having an\-thing to do 

 with this disease, especially as we know that sulphates are so 

 important in killing these lower organisms. We could find 

 some place where coal is not used, and so could not get sul- 

 phates. If in this place the excess of cancer was not found. 

 the contention would be proven. 



Professor Wooster said that while sulphates have a tend- 

 ency along this line, is it not possible that they may weaken 

 the resisting power of the cells to the inroads of the parasite ? 



A member remarked that the conclusion is that we at pres- 

 ent knew nothing about the origin of cancer, and that this 

 Academy should cooperate with those who make it a serious 

 study. Most of the advertised cures are brought out by ignor- 

 ant quacks. 



The next paper was No. 41. "Municipal Illumination." by 

 J. A. G. Shirk. 



Professor Yates asked what was the length of the blocks 

 where this system was installed. The answer was .300 feet. 

 The system was overhead because the street-car company 

 wanted to use the same, and the expense of poles v\-a5 paid 

 for by abutting property* OT^Tiers. The street-car company 

 and the electric-light company provide the light. 



Miss Meeker asked how this could be municipal illumina- 

 tion, since the street-car company is a coi-poration. It was 

 answered that the city does not own the electric-light plant; 

 it is a private plant. 



Professor Yates said that in the last six or eight years no 

 greater improvement had been made in any city than in the 

 lighting system. In our city of -3700 people we installed our 

 present system about four years ago. On each side of the 

 street or block we have eight poles to the block, and we have 

 two lights to the pole. We cut out the old waterworks main. 



