i * oy By }’) ¥yes AY abit ae 
60 THE MICROSCOPE. \ 
PATHOLOGY, 
Cancer and Irs Casuat Acent.t—Opinions differ, even among 
the ‘most eminent of pathologists, as to the part which the microbe 
plays in the production of cancer. Sir James Paget considers that 
it is now practically demonstrated that each specific disease is due to 
the influence of a distinct morbid substance. This morbid substance 
is, in the vast majority of cases, a microbe—a low vegctable organism 
—and Sir James thinks that some day micro-parasites will be found 
in essential relation with cancer. Virchow, on the other hand (Lan- 
cet) evidently attaches no importance to the reported discovery of a 
cancer bacillus; nor does he think that the discovery of a cancer micro- 
organism is necessary to ex plainthe known facts of the disease. He 
is strongly in favor of its local origin, and, firm in this belief, he 
entertains the hope that some means will yet be found of eradicating 
the disease in its early stage, and urges surgeons not to be too 
skeptical of the possibility of curing cancer by drugs. Paget also 
asserts his belief that we may reasonably hope for a remedy against 
cancer—a specific remedy for a specific disease. 
NEWS AND NOTES. 
Tue American Naturalist, Nov., 1888, says that three species of 
algze, belonging to two genera, have been recently described as 
occurring on the hairs of sloths. The green species is placed in the 
new genus Tricophilus in the family Chroolepidez, and the violet 
ones in the genus Cyamoderma, also new, of the family Chameesi- 
phone. It has been estimated that as many 150,000 to 200,000 
individuals often occur upon a single hair. 
Carraneo records the existence of a parasitic ciliate infusorium 
(Anophrys maggi) in the blood of the crab, and Geza Entz another 
ciliate in the blood of Apus cancriformis.—Am. Naturalist. 
Mr. Frank S. Cottens publishes in the Botanical Gazette, 
December, 1888, a list of 108 species of algze collected at Atlantic 
City, N. J. 
Ferwkes has found a copepod crustacean parasitic in the brood 
cavity of the common Brittle star. 
* Under this heading will be included all Abstracts relating to the Histology 
of Diseased Tissues, both Animal and Vegetable. 
+The Canadian Practitioner. 
