366 THE PROLIFERATION OF CANCER 



pointed out that the cause of syphilis may also 

 produce one of them -in fact, General Paralysis of 

 the Insane has been said to be due to choline. 

 Hence, if our contention is correct, cancer can hardly 

 be said to be due to a specific parasite. 



The mere fact that the alkaloids were being pro- 

 duced in a chronic healing site would not necessarily 

 cause in it augmented proliferation. The alkaloids 

 and the auxetics will have to be present in certain 

 proportion; and since the production of this pro- 

 liferation necessitates the diffusion of the combination 

 into the cells, time is an essential factor. In all prob- 

 ability it would be necessary for the decomposed 

 remains of dead tissues to be pent up to some extent 

 for a considerable period. 



The suggestion that cancer may be due to the 

 combination of auxetics and ptomaines will offer an 

 explanation of the cause of death from the disease. 

 If the malignant cells and healing site are completely 

 removed, the patient may recover; but if this is not 

 the case, recurrence will, of course, take place, for in 

 removing the growth a fresh healing site is produced, 

 and the original decomposition may go on in it. 

 Putrefaction of the remains of dead tissues may occur 

 in a healing site without visible suppuration. The 

 ^Bacillus subtilis does not produce pus, yet it will 

 produce choline. It may be these ptomaines which 

 ultimately cause the death of the patients by poisoning 

 them; for if decomposition sets in in a damaged site, 

 unless steps are taken to remove it, doubtless the 

 decomposition will usually go on. 



