Placental and Ovarian Extract. By far the most promising of all empirical methods for the treatment of malignancy is that by placental-ovarian extract, used by injection under the skin. This has been chiefly developed by Dr. Magian, who concluded that the placenta probably gave to the foetus-in-utero protection against infection from concurrent maternal cancer which it undoubtedly possesses.
In accordance with this assumption, when a Caesarean operation is performed on a woman, the removed placenta is antiseptically preserved and is converted into a glycerine extract. It is therefore not an animal preparation against which various objections might be raised, but a human product which is obtained in the ordinary course of conservative midwifery. It is available for malignant disease in both sexes.
The writer has seen excellent results follow its use in local recurrence of cancer after operation, in cases of metastasis where the spinal nerve roots were involved, in post- operative partial paralysis, such as hemiplegia, paraplegia,etc. Its use is generally preceded by the Bendien test.
Yeast. This well-known organic substances has been used in various cases, pre-operative and post-operative, of malignancy recalcitant to other treatments. Dr. John Round is one of the chief original workers with this remedy, which is used as an adjuvant and not as a primary remedy. In cases treated by Naja (cobra poison) or its congeners after the homoeopathic method yeast is an important accessory.
The inclusion of the medicinal treatment of cancer within the zone of daily medical practice would be the most splendid advance that the present century could provide. In depth and range its issue would be as fateful as the work of Pasteur was to the science and art of medicine. There is a logical reason why the next great advance in cancer treatment shall be in this direction.
The long record of spontaneous recoveries from malignant disease and the lengthening list of cures compassed by homoeopathy justifies anticipation. Probably much preliminary work is still requisite before the first principles of such medicinal treatment can be stated with the definiteness which will convince and compel.
