394 1'^^ FARM DOCTOR. 



as outward from the skin. It is slow to implicate adjacent 

 lymphatic glands, or to produce a constitutional dyscrasia with 

 internal deposits, and hence its removal is much more frequently 

 successful. Colloid Cancer is characterised by the formation of 

 a mucous or gelatinous liquid containing a kernel of granules 

 and rounded simple or nucleated cells, enclosed in spherical 

 cavities, surrounded by a delicate membranous stroma, made 

 up of the former tissues of the part. Osteoid Cancer of ivory- 

 like hardness, with a vascular surface and interspaces, has not 

 been observed in the lower animals. 



Treatment of Tumours. — Recent simple tumours, still largely 

 cellular, may sometimes be removed by stimulating embro- 

 cations, as iodine ointment or tincture^ camphorated spirit, 

 soap liniment, etc. Others may be greatly reduced or even 

 entirely removed by the occasional injection into their sub- 

 stance, through a very fine needle-like tube, of discutients 

 (weak solutions of iodine). In cystic tumours the evacuation 

 of the liquid through a fine cannula or needle-like tube, and the 

 injection of a weak solution of iodine (one part of the com- 

 pound tincture and three parts water) will often succeed. But 

 most frequently, and especially in long-standing tumours, resort 

 must be had to the knife or to caustics. Excision with the 

 knife is the quickest and usually the preferable mode, but in 

 some dangerous situations caustic may be preferred. Its 

 employment is founded on the fact that it tends to eat away 

 the diseased mass sooner than the healthy ; but this partial 

 immunity of the sound tissues will not warrant the use of such 

 agents as caustic pctassa or soda, which quickly permeate all 

 cell structures alike and destroy them. Nitrate of silver, 

 chloride of zinc, sulphate of copper, terchloride of antimony, 

 or the mineral acids, are usually preferable. Protection against 

 cold, ill-health arising from other sources, mechanical injuries 

 and exposures to cold or wet are important elements in treat- 

 ment. 



