M'EIl OF THE STOMACH. 169 



ju-t what you think about it, and in sill probability he will be able to set your mind 

 at rest on the subject 



As to the treatment of cancer, that is a subject on which it is EmfMNBblfl for us 

 to speak in detail. It would not benefit you in the least if we were to enter into a 

 ission as to what cases are benefited by an operation and what are not. 

 ten one of the most difficult points which a surgeon has to d < -id-. and he can 

 arrive at a correct conclusion only by an attentive consideration of all tin- circtim- 

 ts of the case. We may mention, however, that v TV 1V <jucntly tin- pain may 

 inporarily relieved by the use of opium or morphia. Sometimes ten grains of 

 chloral, or Pr. 37, taken three times a day, will succeed better than opium. Tin- 

 pain of cancer when the skin is broken so as to leave a painful irritable sore may be 

 relieved by playing vapour of chloroform on the raw surface, tin* immunity from 

 pain often lasting several hours. Of course it is understood that it" IK the vajiour 

 of the chloroform which is to come in contact with the sore, and not the liquid itself. 

 A starch poultice, from its soothing, unirritating properties, often relieves the jmin 

 when applied to an open cancer. When the disease attacks the bowels or the 

 adjacent organs, the pain may be mitigated by the use of large injections of 

 warm water, which also often prove successful in relieving the distressing straining 

 and desire to evacuate the bowels, of such frequent occurrence under these 

 circumstances. 



The tincture of Hydrastis Canadensis, or golden seal, has obtained a great reputa- 

 tion in the treatment of some cases of cancer. It has been especially extolled in the 

 treatment of cancerous tumours of the breast. It should not only be given internally, 

 but should be used as a local application. A lotion may be made by mixing a drachm 

 of the tincture with half an ounce of glycerine, and this should be applied or 

 rubbed in in small quantities several times a day. A still better and more efficacious 

 lotion is made by dissolving ten grains of chloride of hydrastia (hydrastia being the 

 active principle of hydrastis) in eight ounces of water. 



In many cases the most satisfactory results have followed the long-continued 

 administration of small doses of arsenic, as, for example, a tea-spoonful of the 

 arsenic mixture (Pr. 40) every four hours. Its internal administration should 

 be combined with the local application, where possible, of a lotion made by adding 

 six tea-sjK)onfuls of the mixture (Pr. 40) to half a pint of water. Of late Chian 

 turpentine has been introduced as a remedy for cancer, and some most wonderful 

 cures are reported. It is made into pills according to Pr. 101. Two pills are to 

 be taken every four hours, and the treatment must be continued for many weeks. 



CANCER OF THE STOMACH. 



We purpose entering very briefly into the consideration of this subject, not 



ISP it is of little importance or of infrequent occurrence, but because the patient 



must of necessity at some time or other in its progress come under the care of 



a medical man, and we feel assured that the earlier he seeks professional advice, the 



better it will be for his welfare. 



In the first place we must consider the predisposing causes of cancer of the 



