378 Kansas Academy of Science. 



The ameba may be in the blood circulation of many, and yet, if 

 every cell in the body remains normal as to its resisting power, it 

 will overcome any and all attacks of the cancri-ameba. But in the 

 event of lowered vitality from injury, bruise, or any cause whatever, 

 these cells at once become weakened in their ability to resist, hence 

 cannot repel an attack of the enemy ; in a word, the nucleus of the 

 disease is established. 



How do these cancri-ameba reach the weakened spot ? By riding 

 upon or following the blood current. When once established in an 

 epithelial cell its strength is more vigorous. It will then have the 

 power to attack and overcome cells which have a greater integrity. 

 It is found that these spores, even before they have separated from 

 the parent, send out pseudopodia that prey on the epithelial cells 

 which they come in contact with. Nature is ever ready to meet 

 these threatened attacks, and as soon as the cancri-ameba opens 

 battle the neighboring cells take on increased activity, multiplying 

 and becoming more gigantic. This accounts for the proliferation 

 of cells in the vicinity of the malignant tumor. The active cells 

 press on those of the cancer from without, while the cancri-ameba 

 crowd from within, and we have as a result flattened cells. 



The battle for existence doubtless produces that hardness charac- 

 teristic of cancer. The harder the cancer the slower its growth. 

 In the enoephaloid variety nature makes but little objection, hence 

 a more rapid termination. 



It is a sad fact, yet nevertheless true, that the best fortifications 

 of cells are finally penetrated and crumble before their antagonist. 

 This opens up a field for the leucocytes. The hardened mass shows 

 evidence of softening, then follows an ulcerative surface. Upon 

 this surface, by the aid of the microscope, we are able to detect the 

 dead and dying from both sides, Now the leucocytal vultures will 

 consume them. 



The results given above are not always true, for the cell life may 

 be so active and effective that the cancri-ameba will be effectually 

 imprisoned and die from inanition. Should this result be pro- 

 duced the hard tumor formed will be cared for by nature, diminish- 

 ing in a degree, and finally remaining stationary. This could with 

 propriety be called nature's cure of cancer. Now and then nature 

 produces a like cure in phthisis pulmonalis by throwing a wall of 

 calcareous material around a nest of tubercle bacilli, and they also 

 perish from starvation. 



In the formation of cancer, if connective tissue prevails we have 

 what is termed hard cancer; if epithelial cells, we have soft cancer; 



