Southern Medical and Surgical Journal - Georgia Regents University

44 Cancerous Growths. [January,Cancerous Growths. Experiments of Dr. II. A. Johnson.Artificial Tissues. By E. Andrews. M. D.Cancer growths have long defied theinvestigations of knifeand microscope, of retort and crucible, to disclose the conditionsof their malignancy. Probably bolder sweeps must bemade by the wing of Science before we shall see the unlockingof this mystery. The scope of investigation, however, at presentleads us to hope that we may yet succeed in formingartificial tissues, and learn from them the conditions of theirgrowth and means of their extermination.Dr. Johnson, one of the enterprising editors of the N. \V.Medical Journal, has given this subject ;m examination. Heremarks (vol. 1, p. 1, new series,) that the anatomical cause ofthe malignancy of cancer is the continual and irrepressiblegrowth and reproduction of cells. lie next shows, by chemicalanalysis, that there is in these growths a remarkable predominanceof inorganic salts, and also remarks upon the factthat malignant growths are most frequently found where cellgrowths predominate, as in glands and mucous membranes,but most frequently of all in those glands to which there is aspecial determination of these salts, as the testes and the mammae.The experiments of Beneke and others have even shownthat these salts, particularly those of lime, soda and potash,may actually be made to generate bodies resembling cells, outof the body. Dr. Johnson repeated and Varied these experiments,with a view to ascertain whether these salts might nothave such a cell-producing power as to account for the inordinatecell growth of cancer. His notes are as follows :"Exp. No. 1. Albumen, fat and water, intimately mingledtogether. Exposed to a uniform temperature of 104° F. Examinedafter nine hours—contains oil globules, granules, and afew imperfect celluloid bodies. After twenty-two hours noperceptible change noticed.*'Exp. No. 2. Albumen, oil, water and phosphate of lime.At the expiration of ten hours, contains granules and bodiesresembling the cells found in pus and mucus. After twentytwohours, granules previously noticed very abundant—bodiesresembling pus or mucus globules, with masses of matter verysimilar to those sometimes found in the urine, and composedof epithelial scales. After seventy hours fewer of the granulesand a large number of the celluloid bodies. Upon the additionof acetic acid, dark spots are seen having all the appearanceof nuclei ; each globule seems to have a perfect cell wall." Exp. Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 were variations of Nos. 1 and 2,by subjecting to pressure during the process, and by adding to