300 THE PROTEAL TREATMENT OF CANCER 



particular reference to the nitrogen balance, goes without saying. 

 Careful attention should be given to all hygienic measures tend- 

 ing to promote general health. But in particular a regime of life 

 should be adopted that includes daily systemic exercise of the 

 most vigorous type consistent with the patient's condition of 

 muscular tract. In my opinion, no single measure is more im- 

 portant than this ; indeed, no other measure except that concern- 

 ing the protein diet, approaches it in importance. 



But these, after all, are matters regarding which the wise physi- 

 cian scarcely needs counseling. When it is clearly apprehended 

 that the cancerous condition is due to a maladjustment of protein 

 metabolism, it follows as a matter of course that all the measures 

 commonly recognized as tending to reestablish the normal adjust- 

 ment of such metabolism must be, in the first instance, preventa- 

 tive of cancer ; in the second instance, invaluable as auxilliaries 

 during the treatment of the malady, by whatever method; and, 

 in the third place, indispensable as measures directed against re- 

 currence of the malady. 



But while all this, stated in general terms, seems fairly axio- 

 matic, there goes with the suggestion the implication that no type 

 of malady could give greater opportunity for the exercise of pro- 

 fessional skill than the treatment of the cancerous condition. I 

 have urged the futility of surgical treatment which is content 

 merely to wield the knife and disregard all general measures. I 

 would now urge that it would be only a degree less fatuous to 

 suppose that adequate treatment of a cancer case by the protein 

 method implies merely the random administration of a hypo- 

 dermic. Yet a -good many physicians who have used proteins have 

 seemed to labor under this misapprehension. The correspondence 

 is filled with letters from physicians of acknowledged standing 

 who state that they have administered a dozen ampules, or two 

 dozen ampules, of Proteals with remarkable results, and who now 

 wish to ask if it is necessary to continue treatment. 



A typical instance of -this kind concerned a case of uterine can- 

 cer, originally operated upon and, after recurrence, pronounced 

 inoperable at one of our most important metropolitan cancer hos- 

 pitals, and subsequently radiumed without benefit and pronounced 

 hopeless. Proteals had been turned to as a last resort, and 

 eighteen doses had been administered in a term of about six 

 weeks. And then the physician, without show of emotion, calmly 

 inquires whether there is any necessity for further treatment, a 

 cure having seemingly been effected ! 



Needless to say the physician was urged to continue the treat- 

 ment. 



I cite this instance as illustrating how vague may be the con- 

 ception of the true character of cancer in the minds of well-in- 



