The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

February, 192'i The Health Bulletin 21
ridge or nodule will develop around or
in the sore, that it bleeds easily, scabs
over, but has no tendency to heal, that
there is a discharge, but not true pus.
has a somewhat foul odor but there is
no pain.
A wart or mole begins to show a
hard, thickened and inflamed base, is
not especially sore and only has a little
sharp tinge of pain that may shoot
through it occasionally, the growth
gradually extends, shows no tendency
to heal, but gradually grows worse,
breaks down in the center and sloughs,
bleeds easily and has no local heat or
congestion as an ordinary sore.
A small tumor may have been present
for years, has been freely movable
or encapsulated, begins to grow, becomes
fixed, seems to fuse with the
surrounding parts, is hard and nodular,
not especially sore or inflamed. There
may be a sharp shooting pain through
it occasionally, as it grows it will have
a tendency to break down, but gradually
spi'eads.
A sharp jagged tooth or one that has
decayed to the gum will produce local
irritation to the tongue or gums until
an ulcer forms, which develops into a
hard nodular growing mass.
A chapped or fissured lip, especially
in smokers, will develop into a hard
mass that may not be larger than a pea,
will begin to grow, the glands of the
neck will become enlarged (Metastasis)
and break down. The sore on the lip
may grow so rapidly that it will include
the whole lip.
A woman's breast may show a small
hard lump or a chronic sore nipple
(Pagefs Disease) that begins to grow,
the skin is attached to the lump and
is fixed, no special soreness, only a
sharp shooting pain occasionally, tumor
gradually grows, glands in the arm
pit become enlarged (Metastasis), also
those above the collar bone. In the
majority of cases, the nipple is drawn
in by the growth (retracted).
A woman around forty years of age
l)egins to bleed between her monthly
period, or on exertion, has a discharge
that may or not be foul, no special pain
hut tires easily, may lose weight, becomes
pale, should be examined and
proper treatment given. There are numerous
other conditions that space will
not permit to be described.
What is The Cause of Cancer
Every country in the world today is
making every efi'ort to find the true
cause of cancer. At the present we
do not know, but we have found by
experiments what cancer is not. Shall
we stop and wait for someone to make
the discovery, and let five people a day
die in North Carolina and not make
the proper efforts to save them
Experiments have proved that cancer
is not contagious, that you are not
running any risk in nursing those who
are sick with the disease. Experience
has taught that cancer is a purely local
condition at the beginning, and if left
unti'eated the fiuids of the body will
carry particles of cancer cells from the
local infection to other parts of the
body (Metastasis), and when this takes
place, you are hopelessly doomed.
There are many theories that are
being studied as to the cause of cancer,
but none of them have been proved,
but we have proved that there are certain
es.sential factors that are necessary
for the development of the disease,
such as local irritation, chronic sores,
injuries or anything that acts as a
chronic irritant to any part of the
body within or without. These irritants
seem to make suitable soil for the
development of the growth.
Can Cancer Be Pi-evented
The answer to this question is yes,
if treatment is received before the
growth develops. All conditions that
lead to cancer should be promptly
treated as soon as discovered.
Can Cancer Be Cured
Yes, if the treatment is thorough,
prompt and radical as soon as the nature
of the trouble is found. Many
cases of advanced cancer can be cured
if treatment is carried out before general
infection occurs.
Treatment of Cancer
The treatment of cancer in the past
has been shrouded in mystery and
quackery, based upon prejudice and
ignorance. It is no longer necessary
to treat the cancer victim as an outcast.
Every one should be on the
alert to recognize any condition that
is suspicious and receive treatment