224 THE PROTEAL TREATMENT OF CANCER 



action of the leucocytes; and, from a pathological standpoint, 

 it is permissible to regard all such growths as nascent cancers. 

 In a vast majority of cases, however, the neoplasm is denied 

 opportunity of considerable growth, because of the immediate 

 attacks of the leucocytes, which are backed up by the erythrocytes 

 to such good effect that the neoplastic proteins are completely dis- 

 sociated and eliminated from the body without producing harmful 

 results, and, indeed, as a rule, without being given any considera- 

 tion whatever. 



It is probable that there -are scores of nascent neoplasms that 

 are dissociated and obliterated for every one that attains mastery 

 over the corpuscular bodily defenders and becomes a tangible 

 neoplasm. It is probable, in other words, that every insignificant 

 lesion of the bodily tissues that calls for the development of new 

 cells in the process of repair, might be regarded as an incipient 

 malignant neoplasm; and is prevented from becoming an actual 

 menace only by the efficient activities of the corpuscles that are 

 normally present in adequate numbers for the bodily defense. 



In elaboration of the idea underlying this conception of can- 

 cer, I now suggest the following expanded definition : 



Hyperproteomorphism, or the Cancerous Condition, is a sys- 

 temic condition characterized by a profound disturbance of pro- 

 tein metabolism involving originally the blood and blood-forming 

 mechanism ; evidenced by disturbances of the corpuscular balance 

 and the abnormal proliferation of cells of one type or another; 

 frequently, but not necessarily, associated sequentially with local 

 neoplasms comprising cells that are partly subject to hydrolysis 

 under influence of the enzymes developed by the white and red 

 corpuscles. 



As elaborating the definition, I suggest the following classifi- 

 cation of the varied manifestations of the cancerous condition: 



(1) Lymphatic and Myelogenous Leukaemias and Pernicious 

 Anaemia, where the hyperplasia involves the blood-forming 

 tissues. 



(2) Anaemic obesity, characterized by excessive fat-founda- 

 tion and deposit, at the expense of more useful tissues. 



(3) Proteoid hypertrophy, as in Grave's Disease and myxoe- 

 dema, where the lawless new growth involves glandular and 

 lymphatic tissues. 



(4) Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, where the maladjustment 

 of metabolism manifests itself in a tendency to new growths in 

 connection with the cartilage of the joints. 



(5) Arterio-sclerosis, where the localized evidence of nutri- 

 tional maladjustment involves the tissues of the circulatory 

 apparatus. 



(6) Benign neoplasms, where a local irritation in association 

 with the disturbance of protein metabolism has led to a prolifer- 



