200 PHYSIC 



surrounding the stronghold of the dreaded monster cancer. 

 It seems, however, to pursue the metaphor, that we are 

 approaching a vantage ground from which, if we can 

 possess it, we can command a fuller view of said monster 

 in "full prospective and perspective," and be enabled 

 thereby to "take fuller advantage of the situation." 



Cancer, then, to our mind, consists primarily of, or 

 originates in, a disparity or want of parallelism, between 

 the functional or dynamic and the structural or material 

 elements of the textures involved in and associated with 

 the morbid process, the physiological status quo ante 

 gradually, and at first imperceptibly, giving place to and 

 merging in the status quo post ; the local conditions of 

 health of the affected part or parts being gradually usurped 

 by those of disease, the healthy physiological regime being 

 called upon to yield and meet the material and dynamic 

 requirements of the pathological, whose lethal emissaries 

 and agencies convert the chemico-physiological machinery 

 or plant and organised material into formative instruments 

 and raw material for its own fell purposes and terrible 

 ends. 



As suggesting this view, it will be observed by those 

 engaged in the work of cancer research that the structures 

 primarily attacked, and from which, when subdued, the 

 disease usually delivers its furthest invasive movements in 

 its further work of spoliation and reduction, are those 

 whose functional activity is being, or has been, temporarily 

 slowed or stopped, and whose consequently more or less 

 disused or obsolete material impedimenta have not yet 

 been removed or otherwise physiologically employed by 

 the functionally active surrounding structures, and which, 

 therefore, become the material bases for the forces of 

 morbid activity, and easily lend themselves to the posses- 

 sion of malignant as well as more innocent pathological 

 agencies and organisms. 



A nidus is thus presented by every tissue and organ 

 whose functions are "giving out," and whose materials are 

 being left more or less derelict and exposed to the tender 

 mercy of the resident and surviving cosmopolitan non- 

 hygienic "rats" and adventurous parasites by whom they 

 may be discovered amid the organic traffic still maintained 



