112 SURGERY. 



the lymphatics, contaminate the nearest glands, affect several organs 

 in the same individual, and, if mechanically removed, reappear m or 



near the cicatrix. . j u • u aa^^a 



Malicrnant growths contain granules or nucleated cells, imbedded 

 in a fibro-cellular tissue. They are composed almost entirely of 

 albumen. Their development is dependent upon perverted nutrition. 

 The causes are perpetual local irritation, and a morbid state of the 

 constitution, which may be hereditary. In the ordinary sense of 

 the word they are not contagious ; but cancer-cells injected into the 

 blood of a do?, produced malignant disease of the lungs. 



Cancer is a term applied to several kinds of malignant disease. 



SCHIRRUS. 



This term is applied to the early condition of cancer, and implies 

 a peculiarly hard tumour, usually rounded, and subject to severe 



lancinating pain. , • • ^ . j „,:fU 



It cuts with the crispness of a potato, and is intersected with 



dense white bands, the interstices being filled with a semi-fluid dark 



substance. , . , , . ,, 



It may occur anywhere, but most frequently m glands, especially 

 in the female breast. Its progress varies. Generally the tumour is 

 movable at first, and without pain. It may continue thus for a great 

 leno-th of time. After a time the pain increases, and the tumour 

 swells and becomes adherent to the surrounding textures; fissures 

 form upon the surface, ulceration softens the tumour, and an open 

 sore results, to which the term cancer is most fr^uently applied. 

 Its edcres are jagged, undermined, and inverted. The discharge is 

 thin, sanious, fcBtid, and irritating. Occasionally a few unhealthy 

 granulations appear ; sometimes the whole mass sloughs away. 



Symptoms.— ^^mx^\ bad health, languor, depression of spirits, 

 emaciation, a sallow complexion, bad appetite and imperfect digestion. 

 Hectic is induced by pain, exhaustion, and the absorption of deleten- 

 ous secretions. Occasionally the bones become fragile. 



The diao-nosis must be guarded. The hardness and situation of 

 the tumour and its lancinating pain, the age and cancerous cachexia 

 will assist in determining the disease. Women are more liable to it 

 than men ; persons over forty than those under it. 



T/-mime/z^.— Various applications have been used, but without 

 success. Caustics and other powerful remedies often aggravate the 

 disease. The only chance of cure is by extirpation when the tumour 

 is hard, movable, and without pain. But even when performed 

 under the most favourable circumstances, the disease most frequently 

 returns. Relief and palliation of symptoms may be obtained otten 

 by alteratives and tonics. 



