A 575539
MEDICAL
LIBRARY
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M6
PATTISON
ON
CANCER.

TURNER & CO.,
HOMEOPATHIC CHEMISTS,
74, New Bond St., W.
LONDON.
ARTES
1837
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
PLURIBUS-UNIJM
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SI QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM
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19616,99
P320
M6
CANCER:
ITS NATURE;
AND
SUCCESSFUL AND COMPARATIVELY
PAINLESS TREATMENT,
WITHOUT THE
USUAL OPERATION WITH THE KNIFE.
4
BY
JOHN PATTISON, M.D.,
AUTHOR OF DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN, WITH A NEW AND
SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT FOR THE SAME;' 'FISTULA IN ANO,
A SUCCESSFUL AND PAINLESS TREATMENT; ETC., ETC.
Thirty-fifth Thousand, Rebised.
LONDON:
H. TURNER & CO., 77, FLEET STREET, E.C.,
AND 74, NEW BOND STREET, W.
MANCHESTER:
41, PICCADILLY, AND 15, MARKET STREET.
1866.
3
Other Works by the same Author.
DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN; THEIR SUCCESS-
ful and Painless Treatment without the Use of Caustics.
Cloth, 3s., post free.
FISTULA IN ANO: A NEW AND
SUCCESSFUL
Treatment without the Knife or Ligature. Price 1s., or
in cloth, 1s. 6d., post free.
London: H. Turner & Co., 77, Fleet Street, E.C., and
74, New Bond Street, W.
Manchester: 41, Piccadilly, and 15, Market Street.
Entered at Stationers' Hall.
PRINTED BY J. E. ADLARD, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.
PREFACE
CONTENTS.
5-16
CHAPTER I.
CANCER, ITS NATURE-Cancer of Scalp and Forehead
-of Orbit, Eye, and Cheek-of Lip-of Tongue-of
Antrum-of Upper and Lower Jaw Bones-of the
Neck-of the Shoulder-of the Arm-of the Hand
and Fingers-of the Breast-of the Abdominal Ex-
ternal Walls-of the Groin-of the Womb-of the
Rectum-of the Cavity of the Abdomen-of the Sto-
mach-of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot
CHAPTER II.
17-83
How to distinguish Non-Malignant from Malignant
Tumours-Non-Malignant Tumours-Wens-Moles
Warts-Nævi-Aneurismal Tumours-Malignant
Tumours-Enucleation-its Safety-its Certainty-
its COMPARATIVE FREEDOM FROM PAIN-RELIEF,
EVEN IN THE MOST ADVANCED AND DESPERATE
CASES-the Remedies usually employed
CHAPTER III.
84-111
WHAT TO AVOID-the Knife-CAUSTICS-Iodine, and
other Irritating Applications-Leeches-Starving
the Disease-Poultices of Figs, &c.-Rubbing the
Breast-Poisonous Substances, especially Metallic
Poisons-Increased Heat to the Part-Freezing
Mixtures, or the Application of Intense Cold-Using
the Arm on the Affected Side-Lead and Oil Appli-
cations-Compression, or Pressure-Chlorine and
Arsenical Gases-Charcoal or Carbon -
· 112-128
APPENDIX-
-
·
- 129-133
155051
HAVE YOU ENEMIES ?-Go straight on, and don't mind them. If
they get in your way, walk round them, regardless of their spite.
A man who has no enemies is seldom good for anything-he is made
of that kind of material which is so easily worked that every one
has a hand in it. A sterling character is one who thinks for himself,
and speaks what he thinks. He is always sure to have enemies.
They are as necessary to him as fresh air. They keep him alive and
active. A celebrated character, who was surrounded by enemies,
used to remark: " They are sparks which, if you do not blow, will
go out themselves." Let this be your feeling while endeavouring
to live down the scandal of those who are bitter against you. If
you stop to dispute you do but as they desire, and open the way for
more abuse. Let the poor fellows talk-there will be a reaction if
you perform but your duty, and hundreds who were once alienated
from you will flock to you, and acknowledge their error.-Rev.
Dr. Campbell's Paper.
PREFACE.
My attention in early professional life was specially
drawn to cancer, and the various forms of tumours
to which it is analogous, or with which it is associated.
The practical experience of twenty-five years has led
me to a conviction of the fallacies that have obtained
in the previous and ordinary treatment of the
disease, and of the possibility of adopting a less
painful, a less dangerous, and a more successful
method. The treatment to which I refer, has been,
in my opinion, severe in its nature, and often fatal,
and unsuccessful in its results. In a word, it has
* Indeed, a recent report of the Governors of the Cancer
Hospital bears out this assertion; for, speaking of ope-
rations by the knife (and, alas! they can do but little else),
they state, "that of 244 persons operated upon, the average
lapse of time before the disease returned (and it nearly
always returns in an aggravated form) was no more than
fourteen months. In thirty-seven cases of operation noted
during the past year, twenty-nine of them were attacked
again in less than six months." 1862.
6
given rise to the conclusion (dictated by despondent
helplessness), that cancer is incurable.
This conclusion I emphatically deny; and I do so,
on the authority of my own personal observation.
The advantages of my method over the old and
manifestly unsuccessful treatment, are mainly, its
safety, greater certainty of cure, and its causing
comparatively less suffering, and less shock to the
system. It may be safely laid down as a principle,
"that if success is to be obtained in treating a malig-
nant disease, we should avoid, above all things, setting
up or increasing any inflammatory action by irritating
applications."
The only known method of removing a cancerous
or other tumour was by exsection by the knife, a
mode admitted by its advocates as very uncertain as
to its results, admitting at the same time its great
danger (see notes, pp. 112 and 115). The treatment
adopted by me is not only more certain in the com-
plete removal of the malignant growth, but it is unac-
companied by danger, and less probability of recur-
rence of the disease. This I have demonstrated by
exhibiting, in my last work, the per-centage of cases
in which its operation has been thoroughly justified,
by showing the number of instances in which the
disease has re-appeared after exsection, and has sub-
sequently been radically cured by enucleation. And
this I have abundantly verified by the adoption of
my treatment in the most desperate and far-advanced
7
cases.
The advantage of it is further confirmed by
its soothing effect; even in those desperate cases
where the disease has advanced too far for its
removal, it has proved most useful, by the mitiga-
tion of the intense suffering which always attends
the ulterior stages of the disease.
In this method of treatment, introduced by me
fourteen years ago, there is indeed nothing which
ought to be novel or peculiar to this branch of sur-
gical science; on the contrary, it is founded on the
principles of common sense and reason. I do not
claim that it is infallible, or universally successful,
but I do maintain, that it is the best that has been
adopted, so far as the nature of this disease is at
present scientifically and practically understood;
admitting at the same time that the application of
such soothing remedies must necessarily be limited
in peculiar cases, and must depend in no small
measure on the constitution of the patient and the
stage of the disease.
Another important point is the keeping up of the
general health—a matter too frequently neglected,
by the adoption of a proper medicinal and dietetic
regimen. In conjunction with these, should be
employed the use of the resinous alkaloids. These
preparations have but lately attracted the attention
of the medical profession, and even now, only those
of the more advanced among its members. I have
however, used them, and endeavoured to introduce
8
them to general adoption for more than thirteen
years past.* In consequence of the success with
which I have employed them, and of the large num-
ber of cases (nearly 4,000) submitted to my care
during the last thirteen years, it is not unnatural
that I should have many grateful patients and friends
who are anxious to extend the benefit of this treat-
ment to other sufferers; but to the non-professional
world it may be matter of some surprise to know,
that many medical men of education and repute,
resort to the most unworthy methods of fabrication
and detraction, in order to deter those sufferers,
whom they are unable to relieve, from seeking assist-
ance and relief from me.
I have often been sneered at as a "Cancer Curer.”
If I could justly lay claim to this title, it would to
me be much more honorable than any other that
could be conferred on me, a title signifying, "that I
was able, through God's blessing, to cure a disease
* In 1853, I was the first to introduce Podophyllin
(which has now become a household word), Hamamelin,
Veratrum Viride, and others, now admitted valuable
additions to our Pharmacopoeia; but this honour has been
assigned to others who first knew of them either from me
or from having seen my prescriptions; for these medicines,
Podophyllin, Veratrum Viride, &c., when I began to use
them thirteen years ago, they were unknown to the pro-
fession. The fact of my prescribing them can be proved
not only by prescriptions still extant, but by many living
witnesses who derived benefit from them.
that has been the opprobrium of the profession for
ages." Notwithstanding many well-authenticated
cases on record, where malignant cancer has been
cured, yet most of the leading surgeons of the old
school, still adhere to the ancient dogma "that
cancer is incurable." It was only a few days ago,
that the husband of one of my patients in conver-
sation with a well known hospital surgeon, men-
tioned that I had been the means under God of
saving his wife's life, which had been despaired of,
and that I had removed all trace of disease. He
replied, "Oh! very well, but you know Mr. -
cancer can never be cured.” Never be cured! Is
it possible that a man of education-a man looked up
to by his juniors in the profession, should doubt for
a moment" that God is not only able, but willing to
give the means to men, to cure this, as they do,
through Him, other diseases." Has HE not, within
the last thirty years, given us the means and the
surgical knowledge to cure many diseases, that were
considered incurable by our forefathers? These facts
are admitted by all, and is there any reason to doubt
but in his own good time, HE will enable us to cure
cancer? Doubting that cancer is incurable, is un-
worthy of the Christian, and of the man of science; it
is as wicked, and as foolish, and as unphilosophical, as
the opinion of the veterinary surgeons who pro-
nounced “that the only cure for the cattle plague,
was to slaughter the afflicted animals." Such lan-
10
guage tends to discourage all attempts at investiga-
tion, and all endeavours to try to cure.
God never
gives man the means, until he inquires after them
himself. I deeply regret that I am not able to lay
claim to the honorable title of "Cancer Curer;" all I
can justly lay claim to is, "that I believe that the
treatment I have carried out during so many years, is
the best yet known, it is free from all empiricisms, and
is most successful in its results, as is shown by many
hundred living proofs."
Another means adopted by some of my profes-
sional brethren, is to cast doubts on my qualifications
to practise, for, although a Scotchman, I hold a
foreign diploma. It was only last week that a lady
now under my care, consulted a leading surgeon
(one of St. Bartholomew's Hospital surgical staff)
who told her, among other things, that my diploma
was not recognised in this country, and that I prac-
tised homœopathy which was an imposture. These
are two serious allegations on the part of the surgeon,
and both are equally untruthful.* My diploma and
* This gentleman has made several mistakes regarding
my patients, but finding that he was wrong, instead of
confessing his error of judgment, he still tries to prevent
all from consulting me-for he can never forget telling the
Rev. Mr. H-, in 1856, that his wife could not live six
months, although now, through God's blessing on my
treatment, she is quite well; nor can he forget telling Mr.
F—, in 1858 that his wife could not live a year; nor telling
the friends of Mrs. B- in 1860 that nothing could b
11
my credentials have been recognised, and are registered
by the General Council of Medical Education and
Registration. This is the only authority in this coun-
try, and they have recognised me; I am therefore on a
footing of equality as far as medical rank goes with
any gentleman practising in the United Kingdom,
for the qualification I hold, is that of the highest, viz.,
that of M.D. My diploma was obtained, after a
severe examination, from the first university in
America, and of such no man need be ashamed, for if we
look back to the strides made in surgery and in medi-
cine during the last twenty-five years, we will find that
nine-tenths of the great and wonderful surgical
operations, and nine-tenths of the improvements in the
practice of medicine, and nine-tenths of the new and
valuable remedial agents now universally adopted,
were first introduced by gentlemen holding diplomas
similar to my own. My late uncle, Granville Sharpe
Pattison, who was professor of surgery in the An-
dersonian University of Glasgow and also of anatomy
in the University of London, went to the United
States by invitation, and was at the head of
the University of Maryland, Jefferson College,
done for the poor lady; and when, months afterwards, this
lady showed him her breast in which no trace of disease
could be detected, he merely replied, "I could have done
it better myself." I, with others, believe that if these ladies
had listened to this surgeon, they would have found his pro-
gnosis to have been only too correct.
12
Philadelphia, and the University of New York,
has often stated that the average qualifications re-
quired in America, were greater than those demanded
in Great Britain; and that his judgment was correct,
is shown, by the zeal and the successful labours of
the American surgeons and physicians.
Indeed, these facts are admitted by the more
liberal and advanced surgeons of our country, for it
was only the other day that a very distinguished
surgeon said "That the American surgeons were at
least ten years in advance of those in this country, in
all things excepting diseases of the eye."
The next charge uttered by this hospital surgeon
was not so much against me individually, as against
the whole homoeopathic body. There are at present
between seven and eight thousand gentlemen prac-
tising homoeopathy, men of intelligence, of education,
and honorable feelings, are all these impostors?
Truly allopathy must be in great danger, when all
that its leaders can urge against such great truths is,
“that it is an imposture." Is not this a significant
sign that allopathy will soon be among the things
of the past?
My treatment is homœopathic, not perhaps the
strict homoeopathy of some, who would even sacrifice
a patient, for the sake of a principle, and therefore,
as old homœopathists, sternly refuse to recognise the
necessity and propriety of ever making any topical
application to a diseased part, and who firmly
13
}
believe that all diseases should alone be cured by the
internal administration of remedies, but mine is the
homœopathy of the more liberal school, for although
believing in and professing the doctrines of Hahnemann
in the main, yet my experience has been, that local
applications are not only beneficial, but absolutely
necessary in many phases and forms of disease; in-
deed I know some gentlemen who, although profess-
ing the strictest form of homoeopathy, and con-
nected with its hospital, yet so far deviate from its
teachings as to apply caustics almost daily in cases of
ulceration of the womb, &c., I have found the
use of decimal tinctures and triturations of great
benefit in treating cancer, not only given internally,
but as external applications; for instance, in that
fearful form of ulceration, known as noli-me-tangere,
I have found the 3rd decimal trituration of Aurum
act beneficially.
I may here remark that all triturations de-
signed for external application, should never be
triturated with sugar of milk which always causes
much irritation on a raw surface, but with starch.
In acute cases I always administer the lower dilutions,
generally the 2nd decimal, but if I wish to make
an impression on the system in a cancerous dia-
thesis, I could never accomplish this, by giving
doses of the concentrated tincture, which would
rapidly pass off, but by giving the 6th or 12th
decimal I have found that they act upon those
14
organs and structure, that the grosser doses fail
to reach, thereby effecting such constitutional
changes, that all tendency to cancerous disease has
been destroyed. And that this is a well-founded
assurance is proved by the numbers of patients
who have remained well for years. Again, in old
chronic cases of disease, I have found that even
what are usually considered high dilutions, have but
little effect, as in many cases of ovarian dropsy I
have found but little benefit from arsenicum of the
12th or the 30th decimal, but I have found
much benefit in the continued use of the 200th of
the same drug. I make this statement here from the
fact, that many visitors come to my house in-
quiring whether I am a homœopath or not? And I
wish it to be distinctly understood that I am a
homœopath in the proper sense of the word; but I
would much rather sacrifice the principle of homœo-
pathy, if I thought thereby, I could save my patient,
and in the surgical operation of enucleation (de-
scribed at page 90) I frequently find it necessary
to give both Nepenthe and Codeine drugs that
are ignored by some of the strictest homoeopaths,
but rather than my patient should suffer, I would
rather administer a drug that would afford immediate
relief. I cannot conscientiously forbear to give relief,
although I may, by so doing, sacrifice my homœo-
pathic principles; in this all true men will agree.
A statement has been widely circulated that I had
15
a ward given to me in the Middlesex Hospital for the
treatment of cancer, that this treatment was totally
unsuccessful, and that the patients could not submit to
its severity. In all this there is not one word of truth.
My name has been confounded (I hope unwittingly
on the part of my medical brethren), with that of an
American adventurer, to whom a ward in the Mid-
dlesex Hospital was given some nine years ago, and
whose treatment was to burn out the diseased part
by the use of chloride of zinc.*
Nearly fourteen years ago I made an offer to the
Hospital to undertake twenty-five cases, and to treat
them by my own method, and the unsuccessful result
of this application may be seen by a reference to
the appendix.
Without enlarging further upon matters which are
chiefly personal, among which I should be obliged to
mention instances dishonouring to some leading me-
dical men, I will only repeat that my diploma and
credentials are as genuine and as respectable as their
* I have lately been told by several patients that they
have been informed that Mrs. Emily Gosse had been under
my care, whose cruel treatment and sufferings are recorded
in a little book entitled "Tell Jesus." This lady was never
under my care, nor have I ever had the pleasure of meeting
her. She was under the care of the person referred to in
the above paragraph, and no doubt her sufferings were
aggravated, and her life shortened by the barbarous em-
ployment of pure chloride of zinc.
16
own; that my experience of this particular disease
has been at least as extensive, if not more so, than
theirs; my success has been unquestionably greater
than that which has been realized under any previous
method of treatment, and with this most unequivocal
declaration, I commend these pages to the candid
consideration of the profession at large, and to the
study of the public, for whose perusal and benefit
they are chiefly designed.
26, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W.;
AND
10, CAVENDISH ROAD, ST. JOHN'S WOOD,
LONDON, N.W.
1st January, 1866.
CANCER:
ITS NATURE AND TREATMENT.
CHAPTER I.
Cancer, its nature.-Cancer is a disease causing
feelings of dismay and despair, combined with de-
sponding and dark forebodings for the future, in the
hearts of those who are afflicted with this dreadful
malady; and this malady is not confined to the
wretched hovels of the poor, but also invades the
luxurious homes of the wealthy and the noble. It
is a terrible disease, but not so fearful as old associa-
tions and old treatment have made it-our fore-
fathers considered it to be incurable, but I am one
of those who believe that God in His gracious.
Providence for His creatures, has in the great store-
house of nature provided remedies for cure and
alleviation of all diseases, therefore it is the duty
of those possessing the healing art diligently to
inquire into, and seek after these remedies, as many
are now doing, with great success; for in no age
2
18
of the world have there been so many and valuable
discoveries for the treatment of the hitherto intract-
able disease as during the present century, and
those diseases which were once the opprobrium of
the profession, and the dread of the victim, such as
cancer, smallpox, &c., &c., are now not only al-
leviated and controlled, but radically cured, not by
old remedies, but by the judicious and skilful appli-
cation of these valuable new vegetable alkaloids,
many of which I have had the honour of introducing,
and which I have amply tested during the last four-
teen years, for during these years I have (except in
the cases of a few friends) devoted my time entirely
to treating cancerous diseases and the diseases pecu-
liar to women. During these years nearly 4000
cases have passed under my observation, therefore I
feel satisfied that I am capable (without egotism) to
affirm, and that opinion is of value, "that the use of
these new remedies is most satisfactory in the treat-
ment of these diseases, especially in those more
advanced stages, when all hope has passed away,
compared with the old method of treatment, which
depends alone on opiates, thereby keeping the sufferer
in constant stupor, which, instead of prolonging life,
hastens its fatal termination."
Cancer is a malignant disease, first appearing as
a tumour, possessing a power within itself of exten-
sion and reproduction. The cause of this disease is
unknown; for it attacks the healthy and robust,
19
and at another time, the sickly and weak. It can
only be traced to hereditary taint in about 23 per
cent. of cases. Age does not appear essentially to
affect it; for although in the majority of cases it
occurs between the ages of forty and fifty years, yet
I have had cases in infants of eighteen months, and
in adults of more than ninety years. We know
nothing of the primary causes that originate this
disease, for although we know that anything that
causes much or continued irritation will frequently
develope it, such as a blow, a fall, or a jagged tooth
irritating the tongue or cheek; yet, previous to this
irritation, the disease must have been in the system;
for it is a constitutional disease, existing in the
blood; otherwise, every blow or every cause of irrita-
tion would produce it, which we know is not the
case. The only cause that I have learned from ob-
servation that will produce it (even in a constitution
where it did not previously exist), is the frequent
application of such caustics as nitric acid and nitrate
of silver, when long applied to a mucous surface, as
the mouth, tongue, or neck of the womb. There
are many forms of cancerous diseases, as scirrhus,
or stony cancer; medullary, or soft cancer, fre-
quently called encephaloid, or brain-like cancer;
epithelial, or superficial cancer; colloid, or the gela-
tinous form of the disease; melanosis, or black
cancer, and many others, known by different names;
but all slight varieties of either the scirrhus, medul-
20
lary, or the epithelial forms of the disease. It will
be sufficient for my present purpose to confine my
remarks to two or three forms of this disease; first
premising that its growth may be divided into three
stages. First, the disease appears as a small movable
tumour-if hard to the touch, it is of the kind deno-
minated scirrhous; if soft, it assumes the medul-
lary form; or if epithelial, it appears, in the first
instance, as a wart, generally with a small neck (pe-
dunculated). This latter exists in many cases for
years, causing no apprehension—indeed, existing for
a long time, unnoticed, until through some irritat-
ing cause, its malignant character becomes distinctly
developed.
or, in a few instances,
Pain, however, in the
(not in all, for I have
This disease may remain in the primary stage for
months, or even for years, before it is noticed or
attended to, as generally there is no pain, and
nothing to call attention to it. Often it is first
discovered (if in the breast) in washing; in other
cases, the nipple is drawn in;
slight pain attracts attention.
majority of cases soon occurs
known cases where patients have died from cancer
in its final ulcerated stage without having felt pain).
At first a slight prick or dart, like what might be
produced by a needle, felt at long intervals, perhaps
occurring only once in four or five days, alarms the
patient. The frequency and the severity of the
attacks increase, and these are always most severe
21
when the patient is most comfortable and free from
pain or anxiety: indeed, so severe and sudden do
they afterwards become, that they often cause the
sufferer to start, with a sharp cry of anguish. The
third stage soon commences, when the destructive
process increases so rapidly, as to act upon the
tissues; the tumour becomes softened in its centre,
the skin ulcerates, the pain increases, and the can-
cerous growth is matured. Such is a short sketch
of the general course of a cancerous growth. But
the different varieties of cancer, though they all run
the same course through their three stages, yet, as
will be shown, the appearance they present is very
different; for instance, a scirrhous tumour may pre-
sent many phases not usually met with in others of
the same class of disease, and it requires careful ob-
servation, with long experience, to meet the various.
symptoms that may arise. These facts, however,
will be more fully detailed when describing, as we
will now do, Cancer, as it affects the different parts
of the body, my intention in this work being to
describe cancer as it does exist and the course it
runs, when it attacks the various parts of the body,
at the same time illustrating these facts by cases
and letters proving that, even in the most fearful
types of the disease, I have been enabled, through
God's blessing, if not to effect a radical cure, yet to
alleviate suffering, and to prolong life.
Cancer of the Scalp and Forehead.-The scalp is
22
not unfrequently the seat of this and other malignant
diseases, owing to its vascularity. The epithelial is
the most frequent form that cancer assumes on these
parts, although in some few cases I have met with
true scirrhus. In all, the disease first appearing,
either known as warts, or as small tumours, usually
called wens, which in themselves are harmless, but
being irritated with the comb and brush degenerate
into malignant disease. When the disease first ap-
pears as a wart, it may remain in its normal state
for years, until inflammatory action occurs, and then
the disease rapidly increases, destroying the integu-
ment, but rarely attacking the bone. Occurring on
the front of the scalp it generally encroaches on the
forehead, denuding the bone and leaving a malig-
nant, burning, aching sore, with constant draining
discharge. The pain increases in intensity, exhaus-
tion and delirium occur, and the patient dies. In
scirrhous disease of the scalp and forehead, the
disease always appears as a small tumour: unlike
epithelial cancer, it does not spread superficially to
any great extent, but it either burrows, attacking
the bone and exposing and attacking the brain, but
more frequently a cancerous growth protrudes, con-
stantly discharging a thin acrid heating matter,
bleeding when touched, or when the dressings are
removed, producing exhaustion and relief through
death. In this phase the sharp darting or lancina-
ting pains peculiar to scirrhus are frequently felt,
23
whereas in the epithelial form the character of the
pain is more of a burning, throbbing nature, both
are equally exhausting, and inevitably fatal.
MRS. L———, aged 54 years. Cancer of the Scalp.
About four years ago, noticed a small wart immediately
behind the ear, it was painful at times; soon after this it
began to grow, and rapidly increased. Sharp shooting
pains were now very frequent, indeed, so severe as to make
her at times cry out. When I saw this poor woman on
the 29th July last (1864), I found a large ulcerated scir-
rhous tumour as large as the clenched fist immediately
behind and above the left ear, discharging scirrhous matter
and bleeding when touched, when the dressings were
removed, countenance pallid, with great anxiety. Ordered
it dressings of hydrastis lotion, which speedily afforded
relief.
MRS. J————, aged 31 years. Malignant Ulceration
of the Scalp.
This lady had been troubled with wens or steatomatous
tumours in her head for many years; until lately they had
been painless. Thought nothing of them, only when brush-
ing her hair they felt sore. About two months before
consulting me they commenced discharging matter, and
bled; they would not heal, but being more disagreeable
than painful, she determined to consult her medical ad-
viser, who sent her to me. On examination I found seven
small wens all in a state of ulceration, produced by the
brush and comb; the ulceration was evidently malignant,
judging from the character of discharge and from their
24
tendency to bleed. On my recommendation she consented
to their removal by enucleation in June, 1861, and early
in August of the same year she returned home quite well.
DR. M-
Malignant Ulceration (Epithelial) of the
Forehead.
This gentleman was a dear and valued friend. He was
staff-surgeon to H.M. -th Regiment of Foot. When a
boy at the Westminster school he received a blow from a
cricket-ball on the forehead; a small, hard, pea-like tumour
remained for years, which was only a very slight disfigure-
ment to an unusually handsome man. At the suggestion
of some brother surgeon he allowed it to be exsected; soon
after the operation it reappeared in the worst form of
eroding ulceration (this eroding ulceration, or what is
known as lupus non exedens, is in my opinion merely a
form of cancerous disease belonging to the epithelial phase).
Dr. M then consulted Mr. P, of St. Bartholomew's,
who again operated. As might be expected, recurrence of
disease took place; he then placed himself under the care
of Mr. S-, who burnt it three times with nitrate of
mercury, one of the most painful caustics known; but such
was the fortitude of my dear friend, that he, Mr. S.
(who is chiefly in the habit of applying these painful remedies
in the treatment of skin diseases), himself expressed great
surprise at his endurance and patience under such a fearful
ordeal. These applications failed. At this time the Rev.
H. Reed, with his chlorine gas, was in the zenith of his
transitory reputation. Dr. M-, over-persuaded, though
against his own opinion, placed himself under the care of
the reverend cancer curer. During the third application,
although conducted by the reverend gentleman himself, the
25
boiling acid (sulphuric) was allowed to boil over through
the tube on the already exquisitely sensitive sore. The
reader may imagine (but God grant may he never feel) the
agony my poor friend then endured. This sealed his fate.
Next day it was discovered that the frontal bone was par-
tially destroyed. Notwithstanding this, the reverend
gentleman next day called on my friend, said that the ope-
ration of yesterday was what he desired, and that he now
pronounced him cured, and asked for a certificate to that
effect. Dr. M-- knew only too well the nature of the
cure," which would terminate in death, and refused the
curate's modest request.
M-
Shortly after this, through the persuasion of some of my
friends, Dr. M— was induced to send for me (although
as he afterwards told me, he had been strongly prejudiced
against me). On my first visit I found him lying in bed
tossing about in agony. He had been confined to bed for
nearly two months, and only enormous doses of morphine,
chlorodyne, &c., &c., afforded any relief. I examined the
sore, rendered dreadful by fearful malpractice. After this
my poor friend, looking intently in my face, said, “Dr.
Pattison, can you cure me?" In reply, I said, "Dr. M-
No; but I hope to be able, by God's blessing, to afford you
relief." He clasped my hand, and said, “I know you have
told me the truth, and I leave myself in your hands." God
did bless the means to a greater extent than I expected.
From fearful suffering and from a bed of torture he was
raised up, and within six weeks from the time I first saw
him he was able to accompany my family to Bognor, and
so rapid was the improvement, especially in freedom from
pain, that he was able to take long walks, bathe, and other-
wise enjoy himself; but I knew from the nature of his
disease that this could not continue, as I feared the effects
of the cold of the approaching winter on so large a denuded
:
26
surface. My fears were too sadly realised, for in the fol-
lowing spring he was removed to that home where there is
neither pain nor suffering. In this case I am confident that
if my dear and valued friend had allowed the small tumour
caused by the cricket-ball to remain untouched, he might
now have been alive, the pride of his regiment, and the
comfort of his family and friends. This is a sad case, but
it proves the truth of what I am so anxious to maintain,
that death and sorrow always follow the improper treat-
ment of such tumours.
Cancer of the Orbit, Eye, and Cheek.-Cancer of
the eye and orbit is not unfrequent. Generally,
however, the orbit is attacked not primarily, but
secondarily―i. e., cancerous deposits seldom take
place in the orbit or eyeball unless they exist for
some time in other parts of the body. However,
there are many exceptions to this, where we find the
disease appearing in the eyeball without any marked
evidence of its existence in other parts. More fre-
quently, however, it is not so. In the last stages of
scirrhus of the breast, it is not unusual for cancerous
cells to be deposited in the eye or in the orbit, de-
stroying sight, and if in the orbit, causing the ball
to protrude: this occurs only in the last stages of
the disease. I have met several cases where the
disease commenced at the outer angle of the lower
eyelid, and gradually destroyed the adjoining parts
until the eye was injured, the aqueous humour
escaped, and sight was destroyed. The nose and
cheek are more liable to the epithelial form of disease
27
than to true scirrhus, but I have met several cases
of the latter disease in these parts. When epithelial
ulceration occurs here, it is usually called lupus,
which again is subdivided into lupus exedens and
lupus non exedens (ie., superficial or deep-burrowing
lupus). I consider that, being malignant, there is
such a great family likeness to epithelial cancer
that very few can tell the difference. At first a
small wart or mole may be observed, or, may be, a
small tumour, the size and feel of a large shot, may
be felt under the skin. It may have been there for
years, daily seen, but causing no anxiety. By and
by, from some cause or other, this wart or mole may
become irritated, its head may be rubbed off, and it
will not heal. "The dear old family doctor" is
called in; "it is nothing, it will soon heal," and
immediately applies lunar caustic (nitrate of silver)
to the sore. If true epithelial cancer, then the
patient's doom is sealed; the sore not only never
heals, but spreads with such rapidity, destroying all
the tissues in its path, so that it has well-earned the
name of lupus (wolf). This eating, devouring ulcera-
tion may go on until half the face is destroyed.
Surprising, however, as it may seem, yet the suffer-
ing in this fearful form of disease is not so great as
might be supposed-more of a burning, gnawing
sensation than acute pain. The constant discharge,
and the escape of saliva so necessary for digestion,
soon induces such great emaciation that the poor
28
sufferer rapidly sinks. On the other hand, if the
scirrhous form attacks these parts, the process of
decay is more rapid, the deeper seated tissues are
destroyed, excruciating pain (especially that awful
darting pain, as if a red-hot skewer were thrust
through the parts and head) becomes more frequent
and more violent, until from pain and exhaustion
the patient soon sinks to his rest.
I could transcribe many cases from my Case Book
to illustrate these remarks, but space forbids; and I
think one letter which a grateful patient wrote to
the Times (which, of course, neither he nor I having
any influence there, was never published) will be
sufficient to prove that the treatment I employ is far
better adapted for curing these diseases than either
caustics or the knife, to which the profession, alas,
always have recourse.
cure.
THORN COTTAGE; 17th April, 1861.
DEAR SIR,-I am most happy to forward you the rough
copy of the statement of my case, which I wrote for insertion
in the Times, and which I deeply regret was not admitted.
It is now more than a year since I wrote it; and I can now
add a stronger testimony to the efficacy of your mode of
There is not the slightest appearance of any return
of the tumour, and, through the blessing of God, my
general health has been better during the last year than
since my return to Europe. I am glad of an opportunity
of my case being more generally known, and I have done
all in my power to make it so, not only from a feeling of
gratitude to God for providentially directing me to you,
29
but also of being the means of doing good to my fellow
creatures.
I am, dear Sir, with much regard,
John Pattison, Esq., M.D.
Yours truly,
(Signed) WM. MAYNARD.
Mr. Maynard relates the history of his case so
well in a letter he wrote to the Times newspaper,
with the hope that they would publish it, that I,
with his permission, publish what the Times refused.
To the Editor of the " Times.”
SIR,-The columns of your valuable paper appear to be
ever open for the diffusion of information which may tend
to the alleviation of suffering humanity. Therefore I am
induced to address you on what is to myself a subject of
gratitude to God, and may be an encouragement to others.
I have been for many years a resident in a hot, unhealthy
colony, on the continent of South America. A few years
before I returned to England a small tumour formed near
my right eye, which, probably, may have been increased by
my own attempts to remove it. On my arrival in London,
in 1854, I applied to one of the first surgeons, but his treat-
ment was of no service to me. Subsequently I applied to
others in the profession, one of whom removed the tumour
with a knife, and afterwards applied caustic; but imme-
diately it began to grow more rapidly than before. Again
the caustic was applied more liberally by both the surgeons,
and I hoped for a complete cure. But alas, no; it increased
more rapidly, and became larger still. I then began to
fear there was no hope of cure, when I accidentally saw in
30
one of the daily papers a notice of a grateful acknow-
ledgment of the successful mode of cure of cancer, without
surgical operation, by Dr. John Pattison, of St. John's.
Wood. I immediately consulted Dr. Pattison on my own
case. He did not say it was CANCER, but thought it was
likely to be dangerous, being so near the eye, though, as
the bone was not affected, he had no doubt of its being
curable. He said that after a few days' consideration, if I
felt disposed, he would make a trial of it. I felt no hesi-
tation, and called upon him on the day appointed; he com-
menced his treatment, and by the end of the second week
the tumour came clean out of the flesh, and by the end of
the month new flesh was formed and the skin entirely
healed; several months have since elapsed, and there is no
appearance of its return.
Through the blessing of God on the means employed by
Dr. Pattison, many sufferers have been successfully relieved
and cured, and there are not a few that can bear testimony,
if required. I am anxious to add my testimony, and if
possible make it more known, and many others may receive
the like benefit. If you will kindly afford space for this
simple relation of facts, you will confer on me a great
favour, and, I trust, be instrumental of good to many.
I am, Sir,
March 13th, 1860.
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed)
I enclose my card.
WM. MAYNARD.
Cancer of the Lip.-This disease is met with daily,
and scirrhus is the usual form. Many exciting
causes are to be found-as smoking a clay pipe, the
bad habit of biting the lip, and a frequent cause
31
wetting or licking postage stamps, &c., &c. (of course
disease must exist in an incipient form before any
exciting cause can call it into active growth). Most
frequently it first appears as a small hard tumour,
not unlike a small shot, immediately under the
skin of the lip. A little pricking pain is felt at
times, a sense of uneasiness occurs. In some cases
a small tumour appears immediately under the sur-
face like a blue speck. A doctor is consulted, and
either caustic (nitrate of silver) is applied, or, worse
still, the knife. In the first case the sore never
heals, it increases rapidly; in the other (the knife)
if it does heal, it soon reappears, and the disease
rapidly increases, not only involving the original
diseased portion alone, but soon the whole of the
lower lip is eaten away, the saliva pours constantly
from the mouth, the glands under the chin (the
lingual) soon become enlarged, and the fearful in-
fection spreads to the glands of the neck. Speech
and deglutition are very imperfect, the process of
digestion is interfered with, exhaustion occurs, and
death soon relieves the sufferer from his misery.
Such is the usual course of this disease, yet terrible
as it really is, not only relief, but cure in many
cases can be effected through God's blessing, and
the use of those means He has given us, as I prove
by two or three cases selected from many of a similar
character.
32
MRS. BRUNYEA, aged 29 years.
Malignant Tumour on the Upper Lip.
Is the mother of six children, and has generally enjoyed
good health. First noticed a small lump on her lip about
three years ago: latterly it has rapidly increased. I com-
menced treatment on 19th January, 1859, and she returned
home quite well on the 7th February following.
Last November (1864) I received a letter from
this lady, in which she states she remained quite
well-a period of nearly six years. If the knife had
been employed, in all human probability she would
not have lived as many months.
CAPTAIN D aged 58 years. Cancer of the Lip.
This gentleman called upon me on the 27th November,
1855. About two years previous a small hard tumour
appeared upon the lip, which gave no pain or uneasiness.
Unfortunately, in February, 1856, he fell and broke a tooth,
injuring the lip; soon afterwards he felt sharp darting
pains. Soon after this he went to Harrogate, and placed
himself under the care of a Galvanist, who eased the pain,
but did not check the disease. He then placed himself
under the care of Dr.
of Birkenhead, who applied
caustics, immediately after which it rapidly increased. He
then placed himself under the care of Dr. Oldham, of Bir-
mingham, who promised to cure it in three weeks. He
applied powders and plasters in vain, for the patient, after
remaining under the doctor's care for more than four
months, found himself much worse. He then came up to
me, when I found extensive disease involving not only the
lower lip, but also a portion of the chin. I undertook this
33
unpromising case, and in two months he returned home
quite well. I have heard from him repeatedly, and at this
date he is as well as ever he had been.
I have heard from this gentleman several times
since he left London, and although it is now nine
years since he was under my care, he has remained
quite well ever since.
The following letter will show the feelings of a
grateful heart. It was a case of cancer of the
lip :—
SHUTLANGEE; 12th January, 1865.
DEAR SIR, I received yours this morning, and was
pleased to hear from you concerning my brother's child.
A gentleman said "that it ought to be advertised in all the
papers in England:" and my lip is quite well. Every per-
son thinks that you have made a capital cure, and they are
very glad that there is a gentleman who can do such
wonderful cures. My doctor asked me "how you got it
out” without burning or cutting? I have recommended one
lady from Little Houghton, near Northampton.
Mrs.
N- sends her best respects to you, and feels much obliged
for the good cure.
Yours truly,
W. N
P.S.-My brother happened to come to see me to-day;
and I gave him your letter, and he said he would send you
the full particulars about the child of which he would be
proud to do. Happy new year to you and family, hoping
you may live many years to relieve us poor mortals, and
when you die, God may bless you and your family for the
F
3
34
good you have done; that is my earnest prayer. From
one that knows your worth.
W. N.
The
Cancer of the Tongue. This is a common disease,
more frequently met with in men than in women—
during the last year I have seen only some five cases
in the female, and some seventeen in the male.-A
small lump is felt, causing no pain at first, only a
sense of uneasiness, or the ragged edge of a tooth
may have caused a sore. The family friend is con-
sulted, he smiles at the little annoyance, touches it
with caustic, and promises that it will be well in a
few days. This caustic application causes a simple
sore to become malignant (for it is a golden rule,
though daily infringed, "that a sore in a mucous mem-
brane should never be touched with caustics").
sore, instead of healing "as promised," grows bigger,
it bleeds, at times profusely, deglutition becomes
more difficult and painful, the neighbouring glands
being excited, the saliva becomes profuse and of a
ropy consistency, the darting agonizing pains be-
come more frequent, not only through the tongue
but also in the ear and side of the head, the parotid
gland (the gland at the angle of the lower jaw) be-
comes hardened and enlarged, great difficulty is now
felt in opening the mouth, which soon will hardly
admit a small spoon, food if introduced into the
mouth can only be swallowed with much pain and
difficulty, although always hungry and always cra-
35
ving food, yet partaking of it is dreaded; the hæmor-
rhage becomes more frequent and more profuse,
which, with partial starvation, rapidly terminates
life. However, if the knife instead of caustics be
used, and a slice of the tongue cut off; if the patient
survives the operation (which they do not in one half
of the cases), the sore caused by the knife seldom
heals; and if it does, within a few weeks it certainly
returns; the consequences are the same as those
described when caustics are employed, with this ex-
ception that the final termination of the disease.
generally occurs in about half the length of time.
It is my experience, and I believe it is the experience
of all surgeons, that cancer of the tongue, from its
situation, is incurable, and that there is no well au-
thenticated case on record in which it has been
cured. Sad and true as the statement is, yet much
may be done in relieving the dreadful agony, in sup-
porting nature, and in checking the rapid progress,
and so prolonging life for a time, with comfort to
the sufferer and to his family.
Space will only allow me to detail one case :—
Mrs.
Cancer of the Tongue.
This lady came up to London and placed herself under
my care on the 14th July, 1856. The tongue was involved
to a frightful extent with the disease. Professor S-
S—————, of
Edinburgh, refused to operate. When I saw her, I at
first refused interference with the case, when she went to
36
Mr. F——, who proposed an operation. To this her brother,
F-
the Rev. Mr. P would not listen; and, after again
seeing her, I agreed to undertake the case, with the hope
of prolonging life and easing her dreadful anguish. At
this time she was suffering from ptyalism, produced by Dr.
Drummond, of Glasgow, and I did not think she could live
longer than two months, and although the applications.
were very painful when on (which was for three or four
hours daily), yet she suffered nothing (comparatively speak-
ing) from the disease, and instead of living only two months,
her life was prolonged nearly five. She died upon the 12th
December, 1856, free from all suffering.
Her brother, the Rev. Mr. P—, has since then told
some members of my own family, how successful I had
been in mitigating his sister's pains, and in prolonging her
life.
SERGEANT MITCHELL. Cancer of the Tongue.
Disease first commenced last November, 1853, caused by
the irritation produced by a decayed tooth. Since then it
has increased, and is increasing rapidly, the greater part
of the left side being involved. I made my first application
on the 3rd May last, but I had to give up treatment on the
13th of the same month, as his leave of absence had ex-
pired; yet during this short period the disease was checked
and partially removed. On the 21st June he thus writes:
ARMOURY, SHREWSBURY; June 21st, 1854.
SIR, I take the liberty of addressing you to return
thanks for the treatment I received from your hands, and I
must confess it has been the saving of my life. I am only
37
sorry that I could not remain longer under the same
treatment.
'Sir, your obedient humble servant,
"MARTIN MITCHELL,
"Quarter-Master Sergeant, Shropshire Militia,
Shrewsbury."
Cancer of Antrum.-There is a small cavity sur-
rounded by bony walls, immediately under the floor
of the orbit, known to anatomists as "The Antrum
Highmorianum." If the second or last molar tooth
were extracted, and a sharp instrument forced through
either socket, it would enter into this cavity. It is
not unfrequent to meet with this disease here, gene-
rally assuming a form of medullary cancer, known
as Fungus Hæmatodes. Imagine a tumour con-
fined within bony walls, daily increasing, and having
power to burst asunder its hard casement, and then
the agony can be imagined but not described; yet
even in such a seemingly hopeless case ease and pro-
longation of life can be obtained, although a cure is
not to be expected.
In the first stage the patient feels a sense of ful-
ness in the cheek at the roots of the back teeth, per-
haps a soreness in chewing is felt-perhaps a slight
discharge occurs. The family dentist is consulted,
who pronounces "that there is an abscess at the root
of the tooth, and that it must be extracted." To
their surprise, no relief is obtained. The family sur-
38
geon is called in, and if he be an adventurous gen-
tleman, conceiving there is a deep-seated abscess.
there, he plunges a lancet or trochar into the socket.
Even his bold treatment does not afford relief; indeed,
it has increased the difficulty-a discharge is set up.
The intensity of the pain increases, the rapidly in-
creasing tumour presses against every side of its
bony prison, until one gives way; it may force itself
through the floor of the orbit, or into the nostril, or
through the socket into the tooth, into the mouth,
in the form of a fetid, bleeding, rapidly increasing
fungus. If this should be detached by ligature it
grows within twenty-four hours to its original size.
Constant discharge, constant bleeding when attempt-
ing to swallow food, and especially the dreadful fetor
and awful suffering soon destroy life.
MR.
Fungus Hæmatodes of the Antrum.
This gentleman was a surgeon in the neighbourhood of
Loughborough, Leicestershire, and was one of my most
virulent traducers in that neighbourhood, where I had been
the instrument under God of relieving and curing some
four or five sufferers.
In 1863 he felt an uneasiness at the root of the last left
molar tooth. It was extracted, and almost immediately a
fungous growth appeared; he then consulted his old friend
Mr. P-t, of Leicester, who burnt it down with caustics,
yet the next day it was larger than before. A ligature was
tried without success. As a last resort he came to me,
whom he had so often traduced and opposed, acknowledged
39
frankly what he had done, and as a dying man, expressed his
regret, and begged me to try if I could relieve him. In the
spirit of Christianity I received him with kindness, and
gave him the best of my advice, but whether he followed
it or not I cannot say, as I read an account of his death in
the papers shortly afterwards. This is not the first case
where those who have been my active traducers, when
disease either attacked themselves or any of their family,
have then had recourse to my advice, and I am glad to
state that in more than one instance the means prescribed
have, through God's blessing, been crowned with success,
and my enemies have been made my fast friends.
MRS. B. G. Cancer of the Antrum.
This lady felt a soreness at the roots of one of the left
molar teeth. She immediately went to her dentist in
Exeter, who extracted it. This afforded no relief: a sur-
geon was consulted, who pronounced she was suffering
from a deep-seated abscess. The socket from where the
tooth had been taken was pierced, and an entrance made
into the Antrum. The usual tale of suffering ensued. I
was consulted, and the following unsolicited letter which I
received from the lady's husband will speak for itself of the
effect of my treatment in this case.
"L. I., LEW Down, DEVON; January 1st, 1864.
“Dear Sir,—I beg leave to express my most grateful
thanks to you for your skilful treatment of Mrs. B-—
G—— while under your charge. During that time, several
attempts were made, at the suggestion of other medical
men, of other modes of treatment, but she invariably found
more relief in following your prescriptions, and my belief
40
is, that the advice received from you tended materially to
mitigate her sufferings, and greatly to prolong her life.
"Believe me, truly yours,
E. B--
G
Cancer of the Upper and Lower Jawbones.-Cancer
does not attack these parts so frequently as it does
other portions of the body. It sometimes com-
mences as a horny growth, or as a hard deposit.
Caustics are used by the family surgeon, but the
disease increases. An operation by the knife is pro-
posed and acceded to, for any surgeon with common
anatomical knowledge and surgical skill, easily re-
moves a large portion of the jawbone. In the pro-
cess of healing, the sore produced by the operation
generally assumes a malignant type, fungous growths,
fetid discharge, accompanied with hemorrhage, soon
do their work; but if the wound should heal, so
much the worse for the patient, for the disease soon
reappears, not generally in the jaw, but under the
chin and in the neck. This new ulceration advances
rapidly; a large opening under the tongue is soon
made into the cavity of the mouth or throat. The
saliva constantly trickles through the unnatural
opening, emaciation rapidly takes place, owing to
the difficulty in swallowing, and from the constant
flow and waste of saliva.* Emaciation and hectic
* Physiologists have proved that saliva is necessary to
digestion, and without a sufficient quantity of saliva being
41
speedily supervene, which soon end in death. Or,
perhaps, ulceration, in its destructive progress, sud-
denly opens one of the large blood-vessels of the
neck. In such a case, a happy relief from suffering
is granted a few minutes after. Yet even this form
of disease may be cured.
mixed with the food it cannot properly be digested or afford
nourishment. I believe my uncle, the late Granville Sharpe
Pattison, was the first to note this interesting fact; for
when Professor of Surgery to the Andersonian University
of Glasgow, some fifty years ago, he was called to see a
condemned felon, who succeeded, after sentence of death
had been pronounced, in cutting his throat, dividing the
œsophagus (the tube by which the food passes from the
mouth to the stomach). The prison surgeon, after secur-
ing the blood-vessels, had the prisoner fed by passing a
tube into the œsophagus, and pouring soups, &c., through
it into the stomach. This was of no avail; the man rapidly
became weaker-indeed, was dying from starvation. My
uncle, from his reputation and family position, was sent
for, and on seeing the poor criminal, he observed the con-
stant flow of saliva dropping from his mouth and wound.
The thought struck him that saliva was necessary for
digestion. He ordered it to be collected, and mixed with
the man's food. A rapid improvement immediately took
place; he gained flesh, and the wound rapidly healed. Un-
fortunately, in those days, justice was more severe than in
these. No reprieve could be obtained, and the poor fellow,
after being the means of proving a most important physio-
logical truth, expiated his crime on the gallows.
42
DEAR. DR. PATTISON,-I am very glad to add my testi-
mony to that of Mrs. J. H-, to your prompt and suc-
cessful treatment of two cases which have come especially
under my own notice. The first is that of Elizabeth B——,
an old confidential servant long in my family, and whom
you feared had a cancerous tendency from an ache pro-
ceeding from a loose tooth, which was attended with sharp
and shooting pains from the upper part of the nose to the
tooth, but which you told her "not to think about," as in
all such cases it proves injurious and retards cure.
was entirely relieved by your prescriptions, and in a very
short space of time became convalescent and quite well.
The second case was that of Eliza K—————, who after twice
K-
visiting the Bethlehem Hospital, and undergoing a most
painful operation on the heel of the foot, but for no per-
manent good, was greatly relieved by the applications you
kindly suggested, until death ended her sufferings.
I remain, dear Dr. Pattison,
She
Rectory,
Dorset.
Very sincerely yours,
S. M.
LOUGHTON, STONEY STRATFORD; January 11, 1865.
DEAR SIR,-In reply to your request to my brother, I
beg to say that it is now more than six years since our
little girl was found to have something formed in her
mouth. I at once took her to a chemist at Stoney Strat-
ford, who said he was too inexperienced to say what it was,
but it certainly looked like cancer. I the next day took
her to our own medical man at Fenny Stratford, who drew
the tooth, and seemed to think lightly of it, but my fears
were too strongly aroused to rest with that, so I made an
appointment with one of the surgeons of the Northampton
43
Infirmary to take her that we might have his opinion.
When he saw it he did not decidedly say that it was cancer,
but said that there were only two ways of treating it, and
that was by either cutting or burning; and it must be per-
severed in for some time. He could not undertake the case
unless we went to be near him that he could see her every
day, and chloroform must be administered every time. I
trembled for the child, as I exceedingly dreaded every part
of his treatment, when I fortunately met a friend who most
kindly told me of you, and sent me your book. I read it
and felt much relieved when I brought her to you, and you
know the result: by keeping on with your medicines and
applications it gradually decreased and went away entirely.
She is now in good health, and with a lively recollection of
past kindness
I remain, dear Sir, yours truly,
E. N
Cancer of the Neck.-Cancer is seldom met with
on this part of the body. It is generally found here
as a sequence to the disease in adjacent parts, as the
tongue, jaw-bone, and, more frequently in advanced
stages of cancer in the breast-when occurring as a
primary disease it most frequently appears as a
tumour or wart-these become irritated and inflamed,
and rapidly increase in size, assisted, probably, by
the kind attention of the family doctor, who perhaps.
orders iodine, as a paint, or some exciting lotion
equally mischievous. Should he happen to be a
bold, dashing surgeon, he may prefer excision with
the knife; if either treatment be adopted the result
44
is usually the same, and is as certainly fatal as that
which follows the mismanagement of this disease in
the lower jaw-bone, or tongue.
THE REV. THOMAS FRAZER, aged 55, Minister of the
Church of Scotland, Lanark, Canada West.
A small tumour appeared nineteen years ago on the
angle of the right jaw, which gradually increased to its
present size--that of a small orange. Latterly he suffered
a good deal of pain, especially during mastication, and when
speaking. He consulted many of the most eminent sur-
geons in the United States and Canada, all of whom
declined interference with the tumour. Being informed
that, from its recent rapid increase, and the peculiar nature
of the pain, it would probably soon terminate in a malig-
nant character, he came to England to consult me. I
found the tumour occupying the right parotid region, of
firm consistency and immovable. I commenced treatment
early in July, 1853, and, though frequently interrupted by
serious hæmorrhages, the tumour came away on the 25th
of October, and he left London cured on 16th November,
1853. On account of one attack of hæmorrhage, a leading
hospital surgeon of London had occasion to see this patient,
and expressed his conviction that the situation of the tumour
would have rendered any attempt at removal by the knife
hazardous, if not hopeless.
This gentleman returned to Canada, and continues in
good health, and is able to go through his duties as a
minister without pain or inconvenience.
I have received a letter from this gentleman, dated 3rd
July, 1854, in which he states he is quite well, and that he
45
can now officiate on Sundays, and on other occasions, with-
out any difficulty or uneasiness in the parts.
Above six weeks ago I again heard from this gentleman;
he was perfectly well, and was able to preach regularly on
Sundays and other days without inconvenience.
I heard of this gentleman in the summer of 1863. At
that time he was quite well and free from disease.
The Right Reverend the LORD BISHOP of C.
I saw his lordship for the first time on the 20th October,
1860. He was then suffering from malignant ulceration on
the right side of his neck. In about a fortnight the sore
healed, and since then I have heard there has been no re-
appearance of disease.
Near LOUGHBOROUGH.
I first perceived a small lump in my neck, about the size
of a pea.
It continued, I think, for about twenty years
without hurting me; it then began to increase in size, and
became painful. I then felt alarmed, as I believed it to be
a cancer. I went to a person at Nottingham, who was con-
sidered very clever at curing cancers, but he did me no
good. I then had a person in Derbyshire recommended to
me, for I had not then heard of Dr. Pattison. I went into
Derbyshire, and, after undergoing a course of treatment
for about a quarter of a year, returned home no better. I
then, through the mercy of God, heard of Dr. Pattison,
and lost no time in going to him; and, although a most
unfavorable case, and in a most dangerous situation, he
quite cured me in about two months, and I have remained
well ever since, and it is now three years and a half. With
sincere thankfulness and gratitude, first, to Almighty God,
and then, as an honoured instrument in His hands, to good
46
Dr. Pattison, for performing so great a cure, I record my
name,
E. B.
Cancer of the Shoulder.-I have only met with
cancer on the shoulder in some half-dozen cases in
all. They were cases of true scirrhus, appearing
as a small, hard tumour, which ran the usual
course.
MRS. aged 23 years.
Cancerous Tumour on Right Shoulder.
This lady was the wife of an officer in the Royal Artillery.
Her mother and grandmother had died from cancer. About
three years ago a small lump appeared upon the deltoid
muscle of the right arm. The sleeves of her dress having
irritated it, it rapidly increased. It had all the symptoms
of malignant cancer. Upon the 9th September, 1856, I
commenced treatment. On the 26th of the same month
the disease came away, and on the 28th October she was
quite well.
Cancer of the Arm.—I have met with several cases
of cancer of the arm. All were true scirrhus, ex-
cepting one, which was epithelial, and which com-
menced as a wart. Either form, when irritated,
soon passes into the second stage. The "Friend of
the Family" in such cases generally recommends
amputation of the limb as high up as possible.*
* Indeed, I remember amputating the limb of a lady at
the shoulder-joint many years ago (an operation which,
with my present experience, nothing would tempt me to
47
Disease here pursues the usual course, whether
scirrhous or epithelial. Ulceration and destruction
of the tissues rapidly take place; the whole arm
becomes involved, increasing in size; the glands in
the axilla (armpit) become impregnated with the
poison, and enlarged; the circulation becomes daily
more and more impeded, the enlargement of the
arm still increases, and probably effusion into the
cavity of the thorax terminates the patient's suf
fering.
LOWESTOFT; February, 1863.
MY DEAR SIR,-In January, 1860, I was a patient of
yours, and was then suffering from a malignant tumour in
my left arm, causing me severe and continuous pain. I
was repeatedly advised to have it cut out, but, having a
firm conviction that the use of the knife would not effect a
permanent cure, I hesitated to have the operation per-
formed.
Providentially my attention was directed by an intimate
friend to the extraordinary cures performed by you in cases
of that description, and I was directed to consult you.
I have, indeed, great cause to be thankful that I placed
myself under your care, for in the space of three weeks you
completely eradicated the tumour without the use of the
knife. My arm healed immediately afterwards, and became
as sound as the other.
perform, with the hope of curing cancer of the arm.) This
case, like all similar ones, failed; for, although the wound
healed kindly, and the lady was able to go about for a few
months, yet within the year death supervened.
48
Three years have now elapsed, and I have never felt the
slightest pain in it, nor the smallest appearance of any
return of the tumour.
I have, indeed, great cause for thankfulness that, under
God's providence, you were enabled to effect so much good
for me, and I shall be most happy if I can be the means
of making your great skill known to those who may be
suffering from the painful and fearful disease of cancer.
I hope you may long be spared to be the instrument, in
God's hands, for alleviating the sufferings of your fellow
creatures.
Believe me to be, very faithfully yours,
John Pattison, Esq., M.D., 10, Cavendish
Road, St. John's Wood, London.
W. T. B—————
Cancer of the hands and fingers.-Cancer in the
extremities is not so frequently met with as in other
parts of the body, although, within the last thirteen
years, I have seen over twenty-five cases.
MRS. B. Cancer of the Hand.
I saw this young woman on the 18th January, 1859; she
had been suffering from a disease of the hand for the last
four years, it gradually became worse. She consulted Mr.
S——, of Guy's, and Mr. G-, of Whitechapel; the latter
S-
gentleman applied caustics freely, when the original disease
rapidly degenerated into malignant ulcerated scirrhus. She
was under my care for about two months, and returned
home cured.
Cancer of the Breast.-In no part of the body
49
does cancer assume so many forms, although all
running through the three distinct stages, as it does in
the breast for instance, a scirrhous tumour may pre-
sent many phases not usually met with in other
parts; indeed, so varied are these forms that it may
assume, it requires careful observation, and long ex-
perience, not only to be able to recognise its real cha-
racter, but to meet the various symptoms that may
arise; for instance, scirrhus, although always ap-
pearing in the form of a tumour, which produces in
most cases an unaccountable feeling of lassitude and
uneasiness, in another case is unnoticed, giving no
cause for alarm. In others, again, the sharp, darting
pain becomes daily more frequent and acute.*
وو
In the one case no alarm is felt, and much valua-
ble time is unintentionally lost; in the other, the
peculiar pain causes anxiety, the family doctor is
consulted, who pronounces it to be "only a tumour,'
and much valuable time thereby is culpably lost.
In both cases the disease is allowed to take its
course. The mind dwells on the tumour (and mind
has a potent effect on matter), which begins to in-
crease more rapidly; but in one case, although the
tumour increases, yet the size of the breast is not
perceptibly enlarged, owing to the fact that this form
of cancer has the power of adding to itself, or con-
* Pricking, darting, or lancinating pains, not constant,
but at intervals, are a marked characteristic of this disease;
indeed it is never felt in a simple or non-malignant tumour.
4
50
verting the adjacent tissues into malignant disease,
thereby changing the original healthy structures,
until the whole of the breast becomes as hard as a
stone. In the other phase of scirrhus the breast
becomes nearly twice its normal size, the pains ra-
pidly increase in frequency and in severity; the
nipple (in both cases) is gradually retracted, until it
almost disappears. The constitution becomes im-
paired, and a gradual sense of weakness is felt, al-
though the appetite may still remain good. The
third, or final stage, "that of ulceration," soon com-
mences. In one case it is ushered in by the appear-
ance of one or more small red spots on the surface—
they ulcerate, discharging a thin ichorous matter,
the ulcerative process rapidly spreads, and the skin
is soon destroyed; or, in another case, the pimple,
or sore, after ulcerating, does not spread rapidly
superficially, but burrows into the substance of the
breast, soon forming a deep cavity, discharging un-
healthy pus, often mingled with blood. In both
cases the glands of the armpit and neck become en-
larged; but this sooner occurs in those cases where
the ulceration is superficial, which is by far the most
terrible form of cancer that is met with in this part
-for when this phase occurs, the adjacent skin is
altered, its texture becomes thick, rough and corru-
gated, the skin of the neck and abdomen assumes a
leathery feel; the disease now spreads with amazing
rapidity, not only under the arm, but upon the
51
shoulder-blade in one direction; whilst the other
breast is rapidly invaded. The arm on the diseased
side begins to swell until it becomes nearly the size
of the thigh, but as hard and unyielding as a stone.
About this time there appears immediately under
the skin small pea-like bodies (most frequently two
or three together, sometimes only one), scattered
here and there, especially in the cuticle below the
diseased breast. On the neck and shoulder-blades
these at first are very irritable, giving rise to con-
stant desire to rub them; soon this changes to acute
pain, especially if the unfortunate patient has to lie
any length of time; if the sufferer lives long enough
they rapidly ulcerate, adding to his misery; but this
is seldom the case. Respiration is impeded, the
patient feels as if bound in a tight corslet of iron,
appetite fails, the stomach and other organs are in-
volved, cancerous deposits take place behind the eye-
ball, the eye is protruded, vision lost, hectic and
effusion take place, and the poor sufferer is then
speedily released. This is no overdrawn picture, for
I frequently meet with this saddest of all forms of
sad disease. These terrible symptoms are rarely
met with in those where the disease has not been
injudiciously treated, but most frequent in those
where the knife, or caustic, has been used.
Such is the usual course of scirrhus, or of stony
cancer. I will now describe a case of the usua!
course of medullary, or the soft form of the disease:
52
as in scirrhus, medullary cancer commences in the
form of a tumour (a tumour rather soft to the touch),
with a feeling of fluctuation, as if it contained fluid,
In its
but, although soft, irregular in its form.
second stage, or that of increase, its growth is gene-
rally more rapid than that of scirrhus; and although
attended with the sharp lancinating pains peculiar
to this disease, yet they are not so severe nor so fre-
quent as those felt in the first phase. An indescri-
bable feeling of anxiety is ever present, the family
friend is sent for, and it is pronounced to "be only a
tumour,' ""that it is of no consequence, that it will
come to nothing for ten years to come, and then, if
necessary, it can be cut out, when the knife will put
all right." A pain is now felt, not so much in the
tumour as in other portions of the breast, generally
nearer the other breast, as if the bone was sore, the
disease making giant strides, and soon the whole
breast becomes swollen, the skin smooth and polished,
and here or there a purplish spot appears. The third
and fatal stage becomes rapidly developed this small
discoloured spot becomes larger and more prominent,
it ulcerates, and there is a free discharge of bloody
matter.
:
In many cases the destruction of the skin is rapid;
a fungous growth springs up with great rapidity,
bleeding when touched, and at other times exuding
a fetid discharge. This draining discharge rapidly
reduces what little strength there is left; the effusion
53
renders the poor sufferer an object of disgust to those
nearest and dearest, and even to herself; exhaustion
and delirium set in, and the sad tale is ended. One
thing remarkable in this form of disease is that the
adjacent glands are seldom affected, the suffering is
not so severe as that of scirrhus, although the fatal
termination is generally more rapid. Once more,
there is another form this disease assumes, and fortu-
nately one not uncommon, and probably more dan-
gerous than those described, as the patient is more
easily lulled into false security. It is usually not
observed or known until it has reached the ulcera-
tive stage, and perhaps of all kinds of cancer it is
the least painful, although not the least fatal. The
patient is first alarmed by noticing a discharge of
matter, or perhaps of blood, from the nipple on the
linen. The breast is examined, and a tumour is dis-
tinctly felt, deep-seated in the substance of the
breast. The dear family physician is consulted, who
pronounces it to be "nothing," perhaps "only a
weakness, or only a tumour." A lotion, or perhaps
something more mischievous and useless, as leeches,
may be prescribed; the disease is still there, and
from time to time the discharge recurs, more pro-
fuse, more frequent, until it becomes an established
drain. The health begins to suffer, a sense of weak-
ness, inability to make any exertion, is felt, the
nipple disappears, or it may come out altogether,
having been eaten away by the corroding discharge.
54
Great alarm is now felt. On examination, a large
opening is found, leading deep down into the sub-
stance of the breast; pain occurs, the walls of the
breast are soon destroyed, and a large excavated can-
cerous sore, bleeding at the slightest touch, is exposed
to view; fungous growths may, or may not arise,
but exhaustion, hectic, and death rapidly succeed
each other.
Surely I have written enough on the usual course
of these forms of disease as they occur in the breast;
and, sad and truthful as the description is, I believe
there is no cause for alarm, or fear, if a proper mode
of treatment be adopted in their first stages-and,
even in the worst and most advanced of these stages,
much good can be, and is done, by the use and ap-
plication of these new remedies (to which I have
alluded as being peculiar to my treatment of these
diseases) in assuaging pain, in arresting the ulcera-
tive process; or, if that has already taken place, to
check the discharge, to remove the fœtor, to stop
the bleeding, and so make the sufferings of the patient
more bearable to herself and friends.
I shall now transcribe from my case-books a few
cases, with letters from grateful patients, proving
what can be done by judicious treatment, in what
has hitherto been considered as a hopeless and fatal
disease.
55
MISS of Glasgow. Hereditary Cancer of Left Breast.
This young lady had a hard scirrhous tumour in her
left breast for more than a year. The usual symptoms of
the disease were fully developed. It was a case of heredi-
tary cancer, her mother having suffered from it. I com-
menced the treatment for its removal by enucleation on
28th May, 1856. On the 28th June the tumour came away,
and on the 15th July she returned home quite well. She
remains free from any symptoms of its reappearance up to
the present time, nearly nine years.
MISS H. Hereditary Cancer of Left Breast.
This lady came to me on the 12th August, 1854. Upon
examination, I found a small hard lump, about the size of
an egg, in the left breast. She suffered at times from
sharp, darting pains through it, while it was, at the time,
rapidly increasing in size. The disease was hereditary in
her case, her mother and sister having died from it. I put
her under treatment for removing the disease by absorption.
She returned home to Bristol, improving by degrees until
July, 1855, when all remains of the disease had disappeared.
Although the hereditary taint was strongly marked, yet I
have no apprehension of a return. I received a letter from
her brother, in 1859, in which he says that “she continues
quite well."
MRS. W
Hereditary Cancer of Right Breast.
Mrs. W a young married lady, applied to me on the
30th August, 1860, having a small, hard, stony tumour in
the breast just above the nipple, which had increased
rapidly. She stated that her grandmother and two of her
56
uncles had died of cancer, and that her mother was at that
very time suffering from the disease. The tumour was pain-
less, and I therefore determined to try what constitutional
remedies might effect, before attempting enucleation. She
was placed under an absorbing treatment; and I had the
satisfaction to find, on her last visit, December, 1860, that
all traces of the tumour had disappeared. I had my doubts,
at the first consultation, whether this tumour was of a true
scirrhous structure, and the result confirmed my diagnosis.
MRS. B, Yorkshire. Cancer of Right Breast.
Suffered from cancer of the right breast. She was an
unhealthy looking woman. About three years previously,
she noticed a swelling in her right breast, which gradually
increased in size, giving rise to constant darting pains, and
much uneasiness in the arm and hand. She had been seen
by several medical gentlemen, who noticed a peculiar waxy
appearance and an anxious expression, which are usually
observed in this disease when the system is fully impreg-
nated with it. I undertook her case with but little hope
of ultimate success, and commenced the treatment October
6th, 1856; and upon the 12th November the diseased part
came away, and she returned home quite well, December
29th. The great influence of my remedies upon the well-
marked cancerous diathesis was rendered manifest; for as
the medicines became absorbed, there was a daily change
in the expression of her face, indicating the improved state
of her health, and she continues quite well to the present
time (January, 1865).
MRS.
Cancer of Right Axilla.
I saw this lady for the first time on 8th August, 1855,
57
and found her labouring under cancer of the axilla (arm-
pit). It first appeared about two years ago. Since then
she has been under the care of the most eminent surgeons
in London. Upon examination I found that the left breast
and the axilla were fearfully involved with cancerous dis-
ease. The arm was also enormously swollen, and she
suffered much pain, which seemed to be constantly darting
through these parts to the lungs, in which I detected slight
effusion. I was unwilling to interfere in such a hopeless
case; but as I was urged to do so, I had the satisfaction to
reduce the swelling of the arm in a great measure, check-
ing the disease both in the armpit and breast, by which
she was relieved of much suffering, and at the same time
the effusion in the lungs was checked. She was removed
to Ramsgate, where the effusion rapidly increased, and she
died on the 15th of October, 1855. Her husband, in writing
to me on that day, says, “Your remedies certainly greatly
relieved her."
MRS.
aged 45 years. Cancer of Left Breast.
This lady had been suffering from a malignant tumour in
the breast for some years. Latterly she has been troubled
with the lancinating pains peculiar to this disease, with
numbness and pain in the hand and arm. I first saw her
upon the 2nd July, 1856, but did not commence treatment
until the 11th of the same month. Upon the 12th August
the tumour dropped out, and upon the 19th September
she returned home, being quite well.
I have frequently seen this lady since, and she remains
quite well.
MISS S————, aged 20 years. Cancer of Left Breast.
This poor girl, when only seventeen years of age, first
58
noticed a tumour in her left breast, which gave rise to great
uneasiness and pain, with the lancinating pains peculiar to
cancer. I saw her for the first time on the 23rd April,
1860, but, considering the age of the sufferer, I determined
to try the effects of absorbing treatment. This was perse-
vered in for six months with but little effect, when I deter-
mined to enucleate the disease, and in October I commenced
treatment, and by Christmas I had the satisfaction of
sending my young patient home quite well.
MRS.
aged 70 years.
Cancer of Left Breast cured after operation.
This old lady in 1837 suffered amputation of the left
breast; it healed up, and it was not until 1852 that any
reappearance of disease took place. (This is the longest
period upon record between an operation and the re-ap-
pearance. For Mr. Paget, in his valuable work, states, that
he has not known a longer period than eight years to inter-
vene between the operation and the recurrence of disease.)
It recurred as a small tumour, which soon assumed the
true cancerous type. I first of all, on account of her ad-
vanced age, tried to check the disease; but not proving
successful, she came under active treatment on the 14th
May, 1856; upon the 4th June the diseased mass came
away, and upon the 15th July following she returned home
quite well.
This lady died in 1861 from dropsy. Her family surgeon
pronounced that he could not detect the slightest remains
of cancerous disease.
The following letter is from a lady whom I cured
of scirrhus of left breast, and who remains quite well
to the present time (January 1866).
59
During the summer of 1861 I felt an increasing pain in
my left breast, and at last a painful hardness. I showed it
to my medical man, who pronounced it a tumour of a can-
cerous nature; having consulted him as to what he would
advise, he recommended me to see Dr. Pattison, of 10,
Cavendish Road, St. John's Wood, London, who had treated
several of his friends very successfully, similarly affected.
I decided upon doing so (having first seen Mr. Fergusson,
of London), that the nature of the tumour might be con-
firmed.
I placed myself under Dr. Pattison in August, 1861, he
saw me nearly every day: when able, I went to him; when
unable, he came to me; and at the end of five weeks the
tumour came away. I had suffered a great deal, but felt
immediate relief, and at the end of about seven weeks more
I was able to return home. The wound has healed, and
my general health has much improved.
During Dr. Pattison's attendance his kindness and atten-
tion were unremitting: I have seen him again this summer
(1863), and have several times had occasion to write, and
always find him the same; I have the greatest faith in his
mode of treatment.
S. S-
Ulcerated Cancer of Right Breast.
CAMBERWELL; January 11th, 1865.
DEAR SIR,-Feeling conscientiously bound to acknow-
ledge your skill and kindness in the treatment of my case,
I send you the following statement of its progress from the
commencement to the present time :-
About five years ago, at the age of sixty, I discovered a
lump in my right breast, for which I had medical atten-
dance for more than a year; but the gentleman concealing
60
the fact of its being cancer, prevented my seeking further
advice until it had assumed a malignant form. Then I
consulted Mr. Paget, of Harewood Place, who recommended
an immediate operation, but as he could not even then
promise a cure, I was induced to consult Mr. Bowman, of
Clifford Street, who not concurring in the opinion of Mr.
Paget, I consulted Mr. Henry Johnson, of Suffolk Place;
when, afterwards finding that he had told my sister “With
such a cancer he should be sorry to guarantee my life two
years,” I allowed three months to elapse, when hear-
ing of the most satisfactory results in many cases under
your care, induced me to consult you, and I can thankfully
testify to the benefit I derived from your judicious treat-
ment, which is admitted by Mr. Bowman, and also by
Mr. C. Brown. From the great relief I experienced from
the removal of the diseased parts, completely relieving me
from all pain, without causing any injury to my general
health.
I continued quite well during last summer, when I met
with an accident which occasioned a slight return of the
complaint, which has obliged my becoming your patient
for a second time, and I have every confidence of a favorable
result.
Dr. Pattison.
I am, dear Sir, yours truly,
E. B
Scirrhus of Right Breast, cured by Enucleation.
A-
near EXETER; December 17th, 1863.
DEAR SIR,—I am happy to inform you that your treat-
ment in my case has been most satisfactory, and I cannot
feel too thankful I heard of you. I had been suffering from
a scirrhus in my breast nearly two years previous to having
61
consulted you. I placed myself under your care the 30th
July, 1860, and you dismissed me the 22nd September fol-
lowing. I am thankful to say, under God's blessing, I feel
no symptoms of any return of the disease. I cannot feel
sufficiently grateful to you for your skill, as well as for the
kindness I received while under your care.
Yours respectfully,
A. S.
Cancer of Left Breast, cured by Enucleation.
HOLLOWAY; December 23rd, 1862.
It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to the
efficacy of Dr. Pattison's valuable treatment of cancer, and
to express a heartfelt sense of his invariable kindness and
attention during the time I was under his care. About
two years ago I found a small hard lump in my left breast,
which was most successfully removed by Dr. Pattison's
mode of treatment, and, through God's blessing on the
means employed, I was able to return home quite cured in
six weeks after the first application.
H. M--
I saw this lady a few days ago (January, 1865),
and she remains quite well.
Cancer of Left Breast, cured.
· Ulverstone, LANCASHIRE.
About four years ago (1856) I first discovered a small
lump in my left breast, caused by a slight accident. After
a time I consulted my own medical man, and was under
his care for nine months, when I found that I rather grew
62
worse than better. Hearing of Dr. Pattison's skill, I deter-
mined to consult him, which I did for the first time in
July, 1860; he at once pronounced it to be a stony cancer.
He recommended me to return home, and try for three
months the palliative treatment, to see if it could be dis-
persed, and if not undergo enucleation. At the end of
three months, finding myself no better, I determined to
put myself at once under Dr. Pattison's treatment. I went
up to London on the 20th October, 1860, and on the 24th
December, 1860, returned home quite well. I desire to feel
ever grateful to Dr. Pattison as the instrument, in the
hands of God, of removing this dire malady under which I
laboured.
M. E-
I saw this lady last October (1865), when she
was quite well.
Cancer of Right Breast, cured.
IPSWICH; December 19th, 1862.
I have much pleasure in giving my most willing testi-
mony to the efficacy of Dr. Pattison's treatment on the
cure of cancer. I had been suffering for more than twelve
months when I first consulted him in May, 1860. I have
returned home quite cured, and in better health than I
have known for several years before. I believe Dr. Patti-
son to have been instrumental, under God, in restoring my
health and "redeeming my life from destruction." I shall
always feel deeply grateful to him for his skilful treatment
and unfailing kindness.
E. J. N.
63
Cancer of Left Breast.
JERSEY; December 24th, 1862.
I am thankful to be enabled to offer my testimony to the
very successful mode of treatment practised by Dr. Pat-
tison. He has, by God's blessing, effected a complete cure
of a tumour of twenty years' standing. His treatment of
the disease is both skilful and extraordinary. As to his
kindness and humanity, it is unbounded.
A. W.
Cancer of Right Breast cured.
MY DEAR DOCTOR,--It is with feelings of deep thankful-
ness to God, and much gratitude to you, that I write a short
account of my case. When I first consulted my medical
attendant about a lump which I had a few weeks before
first perceived in my breast, he assured me it was a very
serious matter, and even spoke of the probable necessity for
the knife being used at a future period. On hearing this,
my beloved but now departed husband (then rector of
C-, in Dorsetshire), took me up at once to town, and I
followed the prescriptions of a medical man there for some
time, without any improvement; indeed the tumour was
daily increasing. At this period, a friend mentioned your
name, and spoke of your plan of treatment, earnestly ad-
vising that I should see you. I did so, and commenced
treatment on the 10th October, 1856. It pleased God to
bless the means used by you. On the 3rd January, 1857, I
left town, and was able to cross to Jersey the week follow-
ing. I am most thankful to say that up to the present time
I have experienced no return of the complaint. I can bear
strong testimony likewise, not only to your great kindness
64
and liberality, but also to the efficacy of your medicines in
alleviating suffering even when there is no hope of cure.
Most sincerely do I wish that you were better known and
more truly appreciated.
I remain, my dear Doctor,
Yours most affectionately and gratefully,
M. H.
St. G— Rectory, Dorset,
Dec. 22nd, 1862.
I have lately heard of this lady, and at this date,
January, 1866, she remains quite well. It is more
than eight years since she underwent my treatment.
From her highly nervous temperament, I believe if
she had submitted to exsection by the knife, which
she was advised, she would have sunk under the
operation.
Cancer of Breast cured after Operation.
BATH; January 10th, 1865.
DEAR SIR,-Having received essential benefit from your
mode of treatment in the removal of a cancerous tumour, I
write to say that in the spring of 1851, the medical friend I
consulted cut out (as I thought) a cancerous tumour from
my side. The wound closed, and I hoped all was well.
After a time it appeared again, and in 1857 he applied
caustic to burn it down, but this only made it grow faster
and larger; he then cut it out a second time, but as the
pain increased I became uneasy, and determined to go to
town to see you: the result of this consultation was the
entire removal of the disease. The cancerous part sepa-
rated itself from the healthy flesh, and, to my surprise, fell
65
A
out at the end of a fortnight. This is now nearly eight
years ago, and all that remains is a slight scar showing
where the disease had once been.
All I can add to my testimony is the earnest wish that
every one who has cause for suspicion or fear of so dreadful a
disease, may lose no time in seeking relief while human help is
available, in the way by which I have, through the Lord's
blessing, been myself so much benefited. May He long make
you a blessing to many poor sufferers.
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours most truly obliged,
E. F.
Cancer of Right Breast cured.
PECKHAM RYE; January 22nd, 1861.
SIR,—In reference to my daughter's case, I have much
pleasure in bearing my testimony to the efficacy of your
treatment. She first noticed a small lump in her left breast
the latter end of 1856. No anxiety was felt until January,
1859, when she became sensible of a slight pain occa-
sionally. About that time Mr. F— of Guy's Hospital,
saw it, but hardly seemed to think it worth his attention.
In the following month she was admitted an out-patient of
the Cancer Hospital. The treatment pursued under the
directions of the medical officers of that establishment, did
nothing towards alleviating our apprehension, as it continued
to increase in size as well as more frequent pain. There was,
however, no projection or discolorization of the part visible
externally. After continuing at the Cancer Hospital for
ten or eleven months, our attention was called to your mode
of treatment from a paragraph in a newspaper. I am
thankful that we were thus providentially directed. The
lump has now been entirely removed about two months.
5
66
*
The part is now perfectly healed. She feels no pain in it,
and we hope she may continue so.
I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
A. S.
MRS. K.
Cancer of Right Breast.
I saw this lady for the first time on the 1st November,
1860. The case being one in which enucleation was indi-
cated, I commenced the treatment about the middle of the
month. She returned home, well, the beginning of Febru-
ary, 1861. The following letter, from her husband, states
that she continues quite well:-
DEAR SIR,-As I have not had an opportunity of seeing
you now nearly four years, I am happy to say that my wife
is still well, and am pleased to say that it is now more
than four years since the knobs were removed from her
bosom by your treatment. The means, I am happy to say,
were blessed, and it appears that she is quite cured of the
disease.
I remain, yours truly,
Trowbridge,
J. K.
January 19th, 1865.
Cancer of the Right Breast cured after Operation.
January 21st, 1865.
DEAR SIR, I have much pleasure in giving a statement
of my case, as near as I can remember. About seven or
eight years ago I had a lump formed in my right breast.
After various remedies were tried, it was operated upon by
Mr. H. J——, of Saville Row. For some time I was in
great hopes of it not returning. After about two years the
67
scars became inflamed, with a slight discharge. I then
went to Mr. F——; he declined operating, and it was pro-
nounced as incurable. After a little while, hearing of you,
I went under your treatment in October, and returned
home at end of December, the disease entirely removed, and
I am in excellent health. With grateful thanks for your
kindness and skill,
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours respectfully,
A. S.
Case of Hereditary Cancer of Right Breast.
DEAR SIR,-I feel much pleasure in being able to add my
testimony to the great skill and efficacious treatment re-
ceived at your hands, for which I cannot feel sufficiently
grateful. In July, 1860, I visited you with a confirmed
hereditary cancer, occupying nearly the whole of the breast,
and which had been increasing for two years. In two
months, after active treatment, the whole was removed, and
the breast began to heal beautifully, since which time there
has been no return whatever. It will afford me much
grateful pleasure to give every information respecting my
case to any one who may be desirous of a personal in-
terview.
Abbey Terrace,
I am, dear Sir, yours truly,
E. H.
St. John's Wood, N. W.
The following letter is from a well-known sur-
geon, of Wilts, who has seen and watched several
cases of cancer of the breast, treated and cured by
me:-
68
Springfield, Trowbridge, January 11th, 1865.
MY DEAR SIR,-I have known four cases of decided
scirrhus, which have been under your immediate care. The
treatment succeeded admirably. Two of these cases I have
watched since, for the last two years: they continue free
from disease.
I am, my dear Sir,
Dr. Pattison.
Yours faithfully,
WILLIAM FOWLER, M.R.C.S., &c.
Cancer of the Abdominal Walls.-I have met with
several cases of cancer in this region; all were scir-
rhus, with the exception of one, which was true me-
dullary. It is a troublesome place for any disease
to attack, for the clothes keep up constant irritation
from every movement. If caustics are employed, or
the knife resorted to (and it requires a most skilful
surgeon to attempt an operation here, a tyro would
enter the cavity of the abdomen at the first incision),
the disease speedily reappears in its worst, its second-
ary form, but seldom in the original place—gene-
rally in the groin or breast. In this case the greatest
skill and caution is required, otherwise death soon
severs the connection between patient and surgeon.
MRS. B., aged about 40, from County Kerry, Ireland,
For twelve years had suffered from an ulcer in her side,
for which she had been under the care of many eminent
men. The treatment at first adopted, which embraced the
usual routine of poultices, lotions, and ointments, proved
69
66
wholly unsuccessful. Severe and excessively painful mea-
sures were subsequently resorted to, in the hope of healing
up the sore, such as the application of caustic potass, of
pure nitric acid, and of a preparation of arsenic; but the
sore increased in size, and the discharge from, and the pain
of it, reduced her strength to a low ebb. Opinions varied
as to the precise character of the ulcer: when it was about
the size of a florin piece, one surgeon called it an “irritable
ulcer," and wished to cut it out; others called it a cuta-
neous ulcer;" others a mass of simple ulcers;" and by
others it was declared to be " cancer," or "lupus." In
April, 1853, the ulcer was eight inches long by six inches
broad, situated over the abdomen, on the left side, and she
was so weak, that she had to be turned in her bed. She
was then taken, with much difficulty and anxiety, from
Ireland to Glasgow, where another consultation was held
upon her case. She was advised to have an issue made
upon the opposite side, and to increase the dose of a
powerful medicine the triple compound of iodine, mercury
and arsenic-to sixty drops a day. This advice was not
followed. She now came to London to consult me. Her
state of exhaustion and suffering rendered the journey a
source of much anxiety. On arriving in London, she was
quite helpless, and had to be lifted into and out of a
carriage. I found a very extensive ulceration, covering
nearly half of the abdomen on the left side with singularly
angry-looking edges. I commenced the application of my
remedy. In four weeks she was able to walk a distance of
four miles.
This lady left my care twelve months ago (1854), and a
letter received a few days since (1859) from her son informs
me that she continues quite well.
70
MR. H., of the Watling Works, Stoney Stratford.
Medullary Cancer of the Abdominal Wall.
I saw this gentleman for the first time on the 2nd
September, 1861. About eighteen months previous to that
date a small wart, which he had noticed for many years,
became irritated, commenced bleeding at times, and, in-
creasing, caused much alarm. Several applications were
tried without effect. When I saw him there was a large
bleeding cancerous tumour, the size of an orange, to the
left of the navel, but rather below it. The previous day it
had bled profusely, saturating his clothes, and almost en-
tailing fainting. My prognosis was most unfavorable;
indeed, I told him there was little hope of effecting more
than relief for a time-as for cure, it could not be expected.
He made arrangements for placing himself under my care.
The means employed were wonderfully blessed, and at the
present time he is quite well, and free from all cancerous
disease.
WATLING WORKS, STONEY STRATFORD, January 25, 1865.
DEAR SIR,—Hearing that you were going to publish an
account of the cases of tumours which have been cured by
your treatment without the use of the knife, I think it is
my duty to you and all sufferers from either of the maladies,
to state that I remain in continuous robust good health, and
have done so ever since I was dismissed from your care and
treatment for a tumour in a serious state of development.
It is now more than three years since, and during that time
I have not had the slightest symptoms of any return of the
complaint. My labours, mentally and physically, are heavy.
71
yet in mercy I am sustained. I never had more to do than
at this time, and I was never more able to do them. I am
very frequently called to remember, with much thankfulness
to a kind Providence, how I was saved from the cruel use of
the surgeon's knife, and directed to your almost painless and
safe treatment, by hearing of those sufferers who have under-
gone an operation. With best wishes and many thanks,
I am, dear Sir, yours truly,
John Pattison, Esq., M.D.
ED. HAYES.
Cancer of the Groin.-Malignant disease is fre-
quently met in the groin, seldom as primary disease,
but as secondary, i. e., the disease does not often
appear in this situation at first alone, but in some
neighbouring part, as the scrotum, womb, &c. If
the disease exists in adjacent parts, the glands in
the groin become speedily implicated, through the
absorbents conveying the virus from the diseased
parts to them. This part of the body (owing to its
numerous nerves and large blood-vessels) is so dan-
gerous that even the boldest surgeon seldom under-
takes the task of removing cancerous disease or
tumours from these parts. On the other hand,
caustics are freely employed, ulceration rapidly in-
creases, and death (in most cases from hæmorrhage)
speedily and often suddenly occurs.
REV. MR. J.-Cancer of the Scrotum, attacking the Groin.
I first met this gentleman on the 25th of June, 1860.
72
Two or three years previous he observed a wart on the
scrotum, which caused no alarm until it commenced to ulce-
rate. He was examined by several surgeons, who proposed
operation by the knife. Fortunately, he refused his con-
sent. When I saw him, I found a large ragged sore in the
scrotum, with both groins seriously affected. He placed
himself under my care, and for the last four years and a
half the disease has been kept under control, with freedom
from suffering. The following letter describes his feelings
of gratitude to me:-
E- -, December, 1862.
MY DEAR SIR,—I had the pleasure of meeting you in
June, 1860, when labouring under a dreadful disease, and
much shrinking from undergoing the usual treatment in
removing such. Hearing of your milder way of treating
such, applied to you, and I have reason to say that since I
have used the remedies you recommended I have felt easier
and freer from pain than I had expected, and am able to
enjoy nights of ease from your care under Providence.
I am happy to be able to testify to your great attention
and comparative success in my case especially.
Yours very faithfully,
J. I.
Cancer of the Womb.*-This is not only a fre-
quent, but it is a dreadful place, for the disease to
occur in. I have met with over two hundred cases
of true cancer of the womb. In the majority of
* See work on 'Diseases Peculiar to Women.' J. Patti-
son, M.D. London: Turner & Co. 1866.
73
these it could be traced to no cause; in a few, mal-
practice on the part of the accoucheur could be
traced as an exciting cause; but in more, from the
culpable practice of applying caustics to the neck of
the womb, in the vain hope of curing a simple ul-
ceration, or the homicidal and futile attempt to re-
duce engorgement of the organ itself (womb) by the
application of leeches. This may be considered by
some to be strong language, but I feel justified in using
it, from what I daily and hourly hear and see. In
some few cases, and these are very few, the physician
cannot trace the sudden appearance of this very sad
disease to any cause. For instance, a lady, although
she has felt strong, and yet may have been suffering
from this disease for months, unsuspected by herself
or family, is first alarmed by a sudden and unusual
gush of blood. She feels exhausted and frightened,
and the family friend is sent for, who discovers the
existence (never suspected before) of the fatal disease,
now, alas, too far advanced to afford any hope of even
relief, from the common, every-day remedies, which
were in vogue in the days of our grandfathers.
the case be minutely examined, it will be found that
the lady has perhaps, for years, been suffering from
a white disease, known as leucorrhoea (whites).
She has paid no attention to this, although conscious.
of a sense of daily weakness. If not advanced in
age, in most cases, a slight irregularity as to the
monthly period occurs, at one time occurring within
If
74
a fortnight or three weeks, in another not until the
fifth or sixth week. When too frequent, the flow is
not natural; it does not flow imperceptibly for three
or four days, but it comes away in gushes, in clots,
gradually giving rise, if not to alarm, yet to a feeling
that all is not right. To this is added a sense of
fulness or of weight in the lower portion of the
bowels, generally on one side. The leucorrhoea,
which at first was colourless and limpid, now be-
comes more profuse and watery, now and then
tinged, or rather streaked with blood. The dis-
charge, now, is not only profuse, but it causes great
irritation. The "amicus familiaris" is consulted;
he gravely pronounces that ulceration, or, perhaps,
displacement of the womb, has taken place, and the
panacea of all easy-going surgeons is prescribed
(caustics). (Up to this period pain has not been
excessive.) Now come sharp twinges, and an inde-
scribable feeling of anxiety and depression takes
possession of the sufferer. The caustic having
been very carefully and very skilfully applied, the
patient is cheered during her sufferings, that all will
soon be well, that now there is no cause for fear.
Vain hope! the pain increases, instead of diminishing
after each application; the discharge is not only
increased, but now it stains the linen with a peculiar
dirty stain, indescribable, yet recognised when seen.
It soon becomes fetid; hæmorrhage, in profuse
gushes, becomes more frequent; and the monthly
75
flow is more irregular, not only in quantity, but in
time. If the disease should assume the corroding or
destructive form, ulceration speedily destroys the
neck of the womb, the stomach speedily becomes
affected, food is loathed and rejected, severe and
almost constant pains are felt in the lower portion of
the body, and down the thighs soon after this.
death takes place. Or, on the other hand, if, in-
stead of the corroding form of the disease, it should
assume a fungous growth, then the symptoms slightly
vary, the growth fills the vagina (passage), causing
pressure on the rectum, producing piles, and pro-
lapsus of these parts. This fungous growth entails
excruciating suffering, by pressing on the pelvic
nerves, running down the thighs. The agony, at
times, becomes intense, and the discharge is constant,
fetid, and tinged with blood; food is loathed, mania
supervenes, and death (a happy release to the
Christian) soon occurs.
The following case is one of a lady who was suf-
fering from malignant ulceration of the neck of the
womb, and had been pronounced to be incurable, by
a well-known accoucheur, but which, through God's
blessing, has yielded to the treatment introduced by
me:-
me :-
ISLINGTON, N.; January 23rd, 1865.
DEAR SIR, It is with much pleasure that I write to
express to you my heartfelt gratitude for the great good
76
you have been the means of effecting for me (with God's
blessing). Mine was a case of no ordinary kind, and when
I first consulted you, which is now about three years since,
I was in a most critical state. The disease from which I
was suffering had been pronounced incurable by an eminent
physician, who had ordered me to keep my couch, and
avoid the slightest exertion in the way of driving, walking,
or standing. I am now, owing to your skill, quite cured
of the disease, and able to take ordinary exercise without
any inconvenience.
With kind regards, I am, dear Sir,
Dr. Pattison.
Yours very sincerely,
J. V. A.*
Cancer of the Rectum.-This disease, from its
situation, must invariably be fatal, although much
can be done to relieve and mitigate suffering. I
have met with many cases. It is frequently met
with in those who have ignorantly submitted to the
knife for piles, and for fistula. These diseases are
as easily, and more certainly radically cured, without
using the knife, as with it. (See my former publi-
cations.) In a few cases, no exciting cause can be
traced for its production. It runs the usual course
of cancer in other parts, only in this situation it is
more rapid in its course, more painful, and relief
* I purpose going more into detail on this subject in my
work now preparing for the press, and will then give many
cases of cancer of the womb cured and relieved by my treat-
ment,
77
through death is sooner vouchsafed.
Here, as else-
where, is the draining discharge (not often profuse)
at first watery, then tinged with blood. Terror is
felt when a necessity arises for going to stool, for
then the agony is awful. (In the majority of these
cases, the fæces will be found flattened like a ribbon,
owing to the constriction of the gut; indeed the
whole of the canal sympathises with the parts
affected.) The stomach rejects food, emaciation
becomes daily more marked and rapid, and delirium
and death soon occur.
MRS. R. Cancer of the Rectum.
I saw this lady on the 3rd December, 1858. About ten
years previous, she suffered from stricture of the rectum,
which was ruptured by the imprudent use of bougies. The
fæces, since then, have passed flattened like tape. Lately
her sufferings have been greatly aggravated. She suffers
agony when going to stool; there is also a free mattery
discharge, frequently tinged with blood. At other times
blood alone is passed. There is great emaciation, and I
have no doubt the mesenteric glands, in addition to the
gut, are affected with cancerous disease. She placed her.
self under my care, when I was enabled to relieve suffering
and prolong her life with comfort for a time.
Cancer in the Cavity of the Abdomen.-Cancer, no
doubt, frequently occurs in the cavity of the abdo-
men, and in many cases is not suspected or dis-
covered, until after death. I have no doubt that
78
F
many of the unknown causes of death that we daily
hear of, would, on post-mortem examination, be found
to be owing to cancerous disease of some of the ab-
dominal viscera, especially of the glands of the omen-
tum. All physiologists admit that the liver is a
common seat of this disease. My experience is that
cancer of the liver is a frequent sequence of disease
in other organs, as the breast, stomach, &c., but
seldom occurring in this important organ alone.
The following case is a very remarkable one.
Three distinct cancerous tumours existed in the
cavity of the abdomen for more than three years, yet
suffering was greatly mitigated by the remedies I
employed:
REAR-ADMIRAL
Malignant Tumours in the Cavity of the Abdomen.
I saw this gentleman on the 1st March, 1861. He had
been suffering for about a year from tumour in the abdo-
men, accompanied with great pain, frequent sickness, and
great emaciation. On examination, I found three distinct
cancerous tumours, the largest of which was attached to
the lower lobe of the liver. In such a case, there could be
no hope of cure, yet the means employed were wonderfully
blessed; the poor gentleman's sufferings were assuaged;
he lived in comparative comfort for nearly two years, when
he quietly fell asleep.
Cancer of the Stomach.―There are few practitioners
who have not met with this fearful form of disease.
Mental anxiety, or disquietude, are frequent exciting
79
causes, for after a season of great excitement or of
commercial distress it is often met with. This, I
believe, is the only part of the human frame in which
mental anxiety will induce cancerous disease. All
pathologists, I believe, admit this to be a fact. It is
more frequently met with in man than in woman.
It may, and generally does, exist in an incipient
state for some months before it is suspected. In
the majority of cases the disease does not attack the
whole stomach, but generally the end through which
the food passes into the bowels, known as the pyloric
orifice. The patient's attention is arrested by the
fact that his digestion is impaired. He cannot take
food (though frequently very hungry) without its
lying like a weight in his stomach, or he may suffer
from acidity after meals. This goes on for a time,
*
* Disease attacking this part of the stomach hastens
death through emaciation. The name pyloric is derived
from the Greek word pylorus, signifying a door-keeper, for
at this end of the stomach there is a valve through which
all food must pass after undergoing digestion, being turned
or churned around the stomach until this is accomplished.
The wonderful wisdom of God is here manifested, for this
valve in its healthy state is imbued with such a sensitive-
ness that it will not allow the food to pass into the bowels
until digested thoroughly in the gastric juice, by the action
of the stomach. In disease, this sensitiveness is destroyed;
the food passes partially digested, and the absorbents obtain
but little nourishment from it, and death through emacia-
tion is hastened.
80
his medical adviser recommending carbonate of soda,
or a bitter tonic, or more exercise. None of these
do any good; he soon finds that his food is not di-
gested, but, although he eats plentifully, yet it passes
from him only partially digested; and he becomes
weaker from day to day. Soon pain occurs after
eating, and continues for an hour or two; as the
disease advances, this period of suffering is pro-
longed, until it becomes almost constant. In some
cases (but not in all) the craving for food is increased
-indeed, the poor fellow feels as if he was starving,
yet dreads to eat on account of the suffering sure to
follow. Emaciation rapidly increases, vomiting
occurs, pain increases, delirium may occur, death
follows.
I
Mr. N––
Cancer of the Stomach.
This gentleman came up to town, from Birmingham, and
called on me on the 23rd August, 1860. About four months
previous had felt much pain in his left side. His surgeon
gave him large quantities of medicine, which aggravated
his suffering. A plaister was applied over the stomach,
which was kept on three to four weeks; on its removal a
hard lump was felt at the pyloric orifice of the stomach;
suffered intensely after eating; dreaded taking food. The
case was hopeless, yet, through God's blessing, I was enabled
to relieve all suffering, and prolong the poor gentleman's
life for many months.
Cancer of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot.-Cancer in
•
81
these parts assumes the same form, and runs the
same course, as in the shoulder, arm, and hand. I
will, therefore, merely transcribe a case or two, illus-
trating the disease as it appears in these parts :-
MRS.
cancerous.
Cancer of the Thigh and Groin.
I was requested to see this lady on the 16th October,
1860. She was then suffering from colloid cancer of the
left groin and thigh. In the autumn of 1853, she perceived
a tumour on the left thigh, which was pronounced to be
It was then removed by exsection with the
knife, but immediately re-appeared. During the last six
years, she has submitted to "fifteen operations by the knife.”
It was only about six weeks previous to my visit that she
felt a pain in the groin, and on examination found that
there was a small kernel or tumour there. Since then it
has rapidly increased. Ulceration took place only about a
week ago. On examination, I found the whole of the groin
and upper portion of the thigh involved in colloid cancer.*
I put her under palliative treatment, and I am glad to state
that the means were blessed, in affording relief from suffer-
ing, and in prolonging life.
The following is a case of scirrhus of the leg. I
leave the grateful lady to relate her own story :—
* I have never met with colloid or gelatinous cancer in
the primary stage of disease; in every case it was the
sequel of operation, and operation by the knife alone. In
re-appearance of the disease, after the use of caustics, I
have never met with it assuming the colloid form.
6
82
December 30th, 1862.
DEAR SIR,-I am happy to inform you that your treat-
ment in my case was perfectly successful. When I first
perceived the lump on my knee, it was about the size of a
bean. It grew nearly as large as an egg. It began to be
very painful, attended with sharp shooting pain, and my
leg became quite numbed. I lost no time in getting advice,
and they told me the tumour was a malignant one. Hear-
ing of your treatment without operation, I consulted you,
and commenced treatment about the 1st March, 1859, and
in six weeks returned home quite cured, and have never
felt anything of it since, and my general health greatly
improved.
I remain, Sir, yours very truly,
H. S.
This lady continues well to this date, 24th Janu-
ary, 1865.
Cancer of Heel Relieved.
January 28th, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR,―The anxiety of Mrs. M-—— on behalf of
poor Eliza Kail, in the almshouse, that no effort should be
left untried, induced her to seek your aid, whose successful
treatment of cancer was well known here. When furnish-
ing the particulars you required relative to the case, I told
you, if you could give her any relief, you might well be
proud of the skill with which God has endowed you. For
thirty-five years she had suffered very much pain from the
cancer (an epithelial one in the heel). In November, 1857,
and again in November, 1858, she underwent operations for
83
it at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. And when she was com-
pelled to go there again, in the early part of last year, she
was sent away as utterly and hopelessly incurable. So bad
a case did they consider it, that they would not enter on
the treatment of it at all, or make a single effort to
relieve her.
brought her under your
Then it was that Mrs. M-
notice. The remedies you sent immediately caused a great
improvement, and gave almost entire freedom from pain.
She was able to go out a great deal during the summer,
and seemed to take quite a new lease of life. She finds
great benefit from the lotion you directed, and is better
than she was a year ago, though the winter is again trying
her much. Under God, you have been the means of con-
siderably alleviating her sufferings. I cannot look for a
cure at her advanced age, the disease also being of long
standing. Still I am sure you are doing her good.
I should like to publish the case, that other aged sufferers
from the same cause may know where to find similar relief.
With best thanks for your generous conduct towards
her,
I remain, dear Sir,
Very faithfully yours,
G. H. B.,
Curate of Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset.
To Dr. Pattison.
CHAPTER II.
HAVING described the course and phases that can-
cerous disease generally assumes in different parts
of the body, I shall now endeavour to lay down
several plain rules, by which those who are afflicted
with tumours can learn for themselves whether dan-
ger is to be apprehended or not. For this
For this purpose I
shall consider tumours under two great divisions,
viz., the simple or non-malignant tumours, and those
of a malignant character.
1st.-Simple or non-malignant tumours.-These
are met with in all parts of the body: frequently in
the scalp and under the skin. Generally, when first
observed, they are of considerable size, imparting to
touch a sense of smoothness and softness, yet not
conveying the impression that they contain matter
(unless it be an abscess). They are painless, giving
rise to no uneasiness, and, if left undisturbed, sel-
dom interfering with the vital functions. A tumour
of this kind, however, may, after some years, de-
generate into malignant disease, but the cause of
this can generally be traced to some constant irri-
85
tation, or to the culpable use of caustics. This I
have exemplified in cancer of the scalp (p. 21), in a
case where simple wens, from the irritation of the
brush and comb, degenerated into malignant disease.
Under this division we may class warts, moles, &c.,
&c., which may remain non-malignant during the
individual's life; but, on the other hand, if han-
dled or irritated, apt to degenerate and destroy life.
Under this head I may mention a small red super-
ficial tumour, frequently met with in infants and
young children, known as nævi materni, or mother's
marks. Properly, they are a species of aneurism
(aneurism by anastomosis), and should at once be
removed, for these tumours increase rapidly, and if
the skin should be scratched or broken, the infant
might bleed to death. Within the last four years I
have seen several cases of nævi, and treated all by
enucleation. My reasons for adopting this course,
are—it is the safest; it is the least painful; it is the
most certain-indeed, in two of the cases lately
under my care, the disease was in such parts that no
other mode of operation, without great danger and
disfigurement, could have been adopted. One was
immediately over the left carotid, the other was on
the right eyelid; both, through God's mercy, were
cured, and no visible scar on the eyelid remained.
Far different, however, is true aneurism, or the en-
largement of an artery. This assumes the form of a
tumour, and is different from all other tumours from
86
its pulsation*—it is a fearful disease. The only
cure for such a tumour, in my opinion, is to tie the
artery with a ligature, between the diseased portion
of the vessel and the heart. This is not always pos-
sible. Aneurismal tumours, however, may be so
obscure as to deceive even the most experienced, as
the following case will prove :-
On the 3rd June last (1864), Mrs. P., from Falmouth,
called on me, saying she was suffering from cancer of the
right breast. On examination, I found a large tumour
flattened, and, totally unlike cancerous disease, fluctuation
indistinct. At first examination I could not detect pulsa-
tion, though I did afterwards. I candidly told her she was
not suffering from cancer, but I could not tell her at once
the exact nature of her disease, requesting her to call the
next day. At the next interview pulsation was felt, and I
decided that she was suffering from aneurism. This opinion
was confirmed by my friend Dr. Darling, who saw the lady
at my request. After this, she told me she had seen Mr.
P., who pronounced it to be cancer, and he had introduced
a small needle into it; the blood immediately poured out,
and it was not until the fourth day that the hæmorrhage
was stopped-fortunately the puncture was a minute one.
I told the poor lady the best thing she could do was to go
home, live quietly, and avoid all excitement, as most pro-
bably, in God's good time, the tumour would burst, and
* A simple or malignant tumour may convey the sense
of pulsation if touched on its surface, and it be situated
immediately over an artery, but if touched sideways, this
throbbing is not felt.
87
instantaneous death would be the result. I cautioned her
against allowing any one to touch or interfere with it.
Having been alarmed at the result of Mr. P.'s examination,
she promised strictly to follow my advice.
2nd. Malignant Tumours.-These are legion, but
we have only to deal in this place with one kind,
viz., cancer and its varieties.*
Malignant tumours, as already stated, come in
any part of the body. If on the face, it appears,
generally, as a wart or mole (I do not mean to say,
by this, that every wart and every mole becomes
cancerous in time), or as a small hard pea-like
tumour, so in other parts of the body, as in the
breast: this organ is peculiarly susceptible to the
formation of tumours. Those that are of a malig-
nant character are generally very small, for, as a
rule, the smaller a tumour (other symptoms being
equal) appears in the breast the more malignant it
will be found to be. If situated close to the nipple,
* There has been lately published by one of the surgeons
of the Cancer Hospital, a book entitled "Cancer, its Allies
and Counterfeits." It is such a book as might be expected
from the surgeon of an Institution in which so little is done
for successfully treating this disease. The author advocates
the erroneous theory that "Cancer is a constitutional disease
depending entirely upon hereditary predisposition." The
published statistics of the hospital, and the experience of
the leading surgeons, all go to prove, that this theory is
not consistent with facts.
88
not far from the surface, giving the sense of hardness
to the touch, it is to be dreaded. Again, if a tumour
is felt in the breast, not smooth and round, but with
prominent edges, and hard to touch, this is to be
feared. Again, if the tumour is of some little size,
giving the impression to the touch, as if it contained
matter or fluid, no time, in such a case, should be
lost in seeking advice. Another peculiarity is that
of pain-sharp, lancinating or pricking pains, not
constant, but at intervals, are sure marks of malig-
nant disease. For this peculiar pain is never felt
in a simple, non-malignant tumour. In a former
work I observed, that warts were frequently met
with in those afflicted with cancerous disease. I do
not mean to say that all persons having warts
have cancer, but this I affirm, that when the
disease has been diffused through the system, that
small pedunculated warts (having long thin necks),
the same colour as the skin, are frequently met with,
especially under the chin, the neck, armpits, &c.
Retraction or drawing in of the nipple, when a tu-
mour exists in the breast, is symptomatic of malig-
nant disease. Having written so far, I will now give
some account of my treatment, a treatment which I
assume to be superior to any yet introduced, because
founded on common sense; but, at the same time,
I disclaim all claims to infallibility, for in such a
scourge, we can only hope for radical cures in com-
paratively few cases, but expect to afford relief to all.
89
Indeed, however simple the case may be that comes
before me, in no one instance have I ever promised
to effect a cure, for I am only an instrument in God's
hands, who, without His blessing, would toil to cure,
or relieve, in vain. The method I employ for
removing a tumour of any kind, is that known to the
profession as that of enucleation. Any substance, or
combination of substances, that will destroy structure,
can be employed in enucleation, but at the same time
many cause excruciating agony. A red-hot iron will
destroy structure, but imagine the pain caused by
burning out a living part. Dr. Fell used pure
chloride of zinc to accomplish the removal of tu-
mours. This caustic, with the exception of nitrate of
mercury, causes more excruciating agony than any
other known substance, besides possessing no con-
stitutional power over the disease; its application
in the removal of cancerous disease is even more
objectionable than the use of the knife. In the
majority of cases where pure chloride of zinc alone
is used, the disease generally reappears in, if possible,
in a more malignant form than at first, for it must
be laid down as a rule "that the mere removal of a
cancerous tumour will not alone effect a cure of
the disease."
I claim the honour to have been the first to
employ hydrastis canadensis in combination with
chloride of zinc: the hydrastis not merely possess-
ing, to a certain extent, a specific effect on the
90
disease itself, but has the important advantage of
preventing, in a great measure, the pain that would
otherwise arise, whilst the destructive power of the
zinc is increased. These facts have been no secret,
for I have been in the habit (for many years) of
describing the combination and the advantages it
possesses, over all other preparations for enucleation,
to every medical gentleman with whom I have been
brought in contact.
The credit of first introducing the plan for de-
stroying a morbid growth by the repeated application
of caustics, is due to Justamond, an English sur-
geon of the last century, who for this purpose
employed an arsenical paste (still known as Justa-
mond's paste). In 1841, Mons. Girouard, a French
surgeon, advocated its adoption, but in those days,
as at present, the medical profession were unwilling
to accept anything new, it was soon forgotten. This
process, which I have greatly modified, and success-
fully employed for many years, is known by the
name of enucleation; and although in some respects,
it is similar to that promulgated by Justamond and
Girouard, yet the agents employed are different,
not only in causing but little pain or suffering,
but in having a powerful effect on the constitution,
they afford a guarantee, in the majority of cases,
against the recurrence of the disease. My enu-
cleating paste is composed of equal parts of the
owdered root of the hydrastis canadensis, chlo-
91
ride of zinc, flour and water. These, when pro-
perly mixed, combine, and form a mucilaginous
mass. If this should be applied on the healthy
cuticle, its action would be merely that of an
irritant; and in treating a deep-seated malignant
tumour, it would do much more harm than good;
to avoid this, and to enable the paste to act on the
part, I invariably rub over the cuticle with a few drops
of nitric acid of the specific gravity of 1:35. This
seldom causes more pain, than that produced by a
mustard plaister or blister, and seldom continues
longer than ten or fifteen minutes, indeed, it is no
unfrequent occurrence for delicate and acutely
sensitive ladies, to submit to this application in my
consulting rooms, and within a quarter of an hour
to leave, free from pain or suffering. Of course in
those cases where the disease is near to the surface,
or in those cases where ulceration has already com-
menced, this first application is unnecessary, and of
course never made. In those cases where the
diluted acid has been applied, on the following day
the surface should present a whitish appearance;
this I dress with an ointment composed of one part
of the enucleating paste, mixed with nine parts of
calendula ointment. Very seldom is there any pain
felt from this dressing, for by using a diluted oint-
ment, the nerves of sensation which are principally
ramified on the surface are gradually benumbed and
destroyed, and by this means I avoid much unneces-
92
sary pain and suffering; the strength of the oint-
ment is increased by degrees, until generally on the
fifth or sixth day the surface is thoroughly deadened,
and all feeling in it lost. After this I draw per-
pendicular lines about half an inch apart, and
parallel to each other, with the point of my
instrument; these scratches never penetrating
beyond the deadened structure are never felt by
the patient; these I dress with narrow strips of
cambric, spread with the undiluted paste. This
dressing is only retained for an hour or two, and
the same kind of dressings are applied from day to
day until the disease is destroyed. As the process
advances there is a feeling more of discomfort and
uneasiness than of pain; this is owing to the cir-
cumstance that as the tumour is destroyed, it be-
comes heavy; but this discomfort can be readily
relieved, by care and ingenuity. This process, how-
ever, cannot be carried on without giving rise to
some constitutional irritation, evinced by feverishness,
loss of appetite, and sometimes restlessness at night,
these symptoms being accompanied by torpidity of
the liver and bowels. For the first I give either
aconite 2, or veratum viride 2, one or other of these
never failing to overcome the feverish symptoms. For
loss of appetite I generally turn my attention to the
state of the liver and bowels; for this I generally
give mercurius sol. 2, or leptandrine 2. If sickness, as
usually accompanies biliary attacks, veratrum album
93
2, or ipecac. 2. If obstinate constipation, podo-
phyllin or leptandrine, given in two, to four drop
doses, until the bowels are relieved. If restless at
nights I generally give a few drops of the liquor
nepenthe, but if pain should occur during the
treatment (I state if, for I have treated many cases
without the patients suffering from pain), then I give
the or the of a grain of codeine. I may here remark
a curious thing regarding these two sedatives which
I have not seen mentioned in any of the journals,
viz., that although prepared from the same substance
(Morphia), yet their actions are different. Codeine
will almost certainly banish pain, but it, excepting
in a few cases, never induces sleep; whereas,
nepenthe induces sleep, but seldom relieves pain,
unless given in considerable quantity, say fifty
to sixty drops. In the course of enucleating a
tumour of the breast, or any other part, we must
expect difficulties like the above to arise; but if they
are met, by judicious treatment they are easily
overcome. I may here mention that, although I
have enucleated many hundred cases of malignant
disease, still I have never had the misfortune to lose
a patient during this part of the treatment. The
time required to destroy a cancerous or other growth
varies of course according to the size and character
of the tumour to be removed: for instance, this paste
will penetrate and destroy a tumour of true scirrhus,
much quicker than it will an equally sized tumour
94
of a medullary character. In none, however, does
it require longer than from four to five weeks to
destroy the disease.
After the disease has been destroyed, which can
be ascertained only by experience and practice, the
strips on which the enucleating paste has been spread
are withdrawn, and no dressings are applied until
the fourth or fifth day, by which time a line of de-
marcation will be found between the living and
the dead parts. Formerly I used to dress with
lotions and ointments immediately after removing
the strips, but experience has taught me that by
so doing, the process of separation is rather retarded
than hastened, therefore until the line of separation
is fairly established, I now avoid all interference,
but whenever it takes place I then dress with strips of
calico about an inch wide, spread with calendula
ointment. These are placed around the mass, one
half of their breadth being laid on the living struc-
ture, the other half on the dead. I only remove
these once a day, as it is important to retain the
pus, which serves to soften and assist separation.
About the tenth day, separation generally has ad-
vanced so far, as to admit the introduction of a
finger between the two. I then discard the strips
of calico, and instead, dress with strips of medicated
cotton wool, well spread with the same ointment. Ac-
cording to circumstances, whether the disease has
been completely destroyed or not (for if not com-
95
pletely destroyed, then the tumour is longer in
separating), it generally falls off from the fourteenth
to the twenty-first day from the removal of the
dressings spread with the enucleating paste. The
average time is the sixteenth day. I have never
destroyed a tumour that fell out before the twelfth
day, and I have had one case (which afterwards
did well) which did not separate until the thirty-
third day. These dead masses most frequently fall
off, when the patient gets up to dress in the morning.
Not unfrequently they slip off when the patients turn
in bed, and are found beside them in the morning.
But oftener they drop when removing the dressings.
In one instance, a lady's breast (for in this case the
tumour occupied the whole breast) fell off, when
throwing on her shawl before going out for a
walk. In no case, however, even when the tumour
becomes loose, do I attempt to hasten its removal,
as experience has taught me that non-interference
is always best. After the mass has dropped off,
a flat surface is exposed to view, covered with
thick purulent matter, but never bloody, for one
great advantage of this mode of treating malignant
disease is, that seldom one single drop of blood is
lost from the commencement, to the termination of
the treatment. I usually dress immediately upon
the removal of the disease with a piece of cotton
wool or calico spread with the calendula ointment.
These dressings are repeated until the surface of
96
the sore is cleansed, which I carefully examine
in order to ascertain whether any speck of disease
yet remains. If there should be, I then dress the
spot with the diluted enucleating paste. This,
however, is seldom necessary, for not in one case
in a hundred can any trace of disease be found.
I then judge from the granulations whether the
sore has a tendency to be indolent or no; if so,
I dress with the unguent resinosum flave of the
Pharmacopœa, mixed with one eighth its weight of
spiritus terebinthini. Next day I sometimes dress
with an ointment composed of the powdered root
of the hydrastis mixed with honey. In the majority
of cases I find this most healing and soothing, but
in some few, it gives rise to erysipelas. Sometimes
I dress with watery dressings, as cloths dipped in a
cold infusion of the hydrastis canadensis, or in a lotion
prepared from a hot-water infusion of Phytolacca
decandra. These applications, however, are varied
from day to day, according to the appearance of the
sore; no definite rule can be laid down as what to
employ, experience can only guide one in such
cases. Generally the healing process is complete
from three to four weeks from the time the diseased
mass falls off. This part of the treatment is the
time for administering those prophylactic remedies
which have proved in so many instances, by the
non-reappearance of the disease, how very important
they are; indeed it is mainly from the judicious
97
administration of such remedies that I claim that
"cancer is curable," and although disclaiming to be,
what many sneeringly call me, a Cancer Curer, yet still
I have been able to cure, through the Lord's blessing,
by these means, many cases who are now alive, and
can witness to the truth of my statement. I do not
refer to cases of yesterday, but to ladies who have
been well and have remained well for periods of from
eight to twelve and fourteen years. These remedies,
as I have mentioned before, I administer in the
homœopathic form, as I am convinced that in doing
so the minute portions of the drugs reach parts by
their continued use, that the grosser preparations
of the old school can never reach, besides frequently
producing a contrary effect to the one intended. Of
these remedies Hydrastis Canadensis must stand pre-
eminent. I administer this generally in the first,
third, sixth, or twelfth decimal dilutions, generally
giving one dilution for a week at a time, three or
four times daily, then interposing a week with some
of the resinous alkaloids, such as the Phytolaccin,
Cerasin, Heloniadine, &c.; of these I generally pre-
scribe the second decimal dilution, excepting Cera-
sin, which I frequently use in the mother tincture.
If the patient is weak and prostrate, Xanthoxylin I
have found of great benefit, alternating with Cerasin.
These two latter, however, have not the same anti-
cancerous action that we find in the Hydrastin, Phy-
tolaccin, or the Heloniadine, but are mainly useful for
7
98
their tonic effects. It is not only during the process
of healing that these agents are administered, but
they should be continued for some months after the
patients return to their homes. If to these remedies
be added, a nutritious and slightly stimulating
dietary, with a warning not to use the arm on the
affected side for some time, I have then found, that
in the great majority of cases which I have enu-
cleated, there has been no return of the cancerous
disease. Such being the process for enucleating a
cancerous tumour, I think it must be evident to all
unprejudiced persons, that it has many advantages
over all other operations.
1st. Its safety. In the hands of a skilful and
experienced practitioner (but it requires long prac-
tice to accomplish it successfully) it is safer than
the knife. Scarcely a week passes that we do not
hear of some death occurring during an operation.
Dr. Druitt, in his work, says-"That some patients
are killed by the operation itself, and that some
have died from being operated on for what after-
wards proved to be no cancer at all.”—Druitt's
Surgeon's Vade-Mecum, sixth edition, pp. 115.
If so, should not enucleation be preferred to the
knife, from its safety? But, although safe in ex-
perienced hands, it is fraught with great danger to
life if the surgeon is not truly experienced. I have
given instructions to many surgeons, and supplied
them with the hydrastis and zinc mixture, even
99
taking the precaution to give them diagrams how to
proceed, yet in every case they have failed, and have
been obliged to ask me to finish the operation for
them, and I am sorry to say, in one, death has been
the consequence of their undertaking what they had
not experience enough to complete.* When I first
attempted enucleation, in early professional life, now
many years ago, I confess I did it with fear and
trembling, and made many mistakes, which only great
experience now enables me to avoid. Some of these
mistakes might have been fatal, but, providentially,
I have never lost a life through enucleation.
2nd. Its certainty. Enucleation, when properly
performed, removes all disease. This is more than
can be said for the knife, for, when operating with
the knife, the parts are deluged with blood, and the
operator, after removing as much of the diseased
mass as he can, brings the bleeding raw surfaces
together, enclosing frequently a portion (more or
less minute) of the disease (this is one reason of the
recurrence so soon after operations by the knife).
In a properly enucleated tumour, the tumour, in
due time, drops off, leaving a flat bloodless sore, so
if any disease should remain, it is at once detected
by an experienced eye. The truth of this is ex-
emplified in many secondary cases that have come
under my care. I mean those in which the knife was
used in the first instance, and, the disease having
*See my remarks on Dr. Marston's work, 1865.
Uor M
100
returned almost immediately after the operation, sub-
mitted to my treatment, and who now remain well.
3rd. Its comparative freedom from pain. I have
had many patients who have undergone my improved
method of enucleation without suffering much pain
—indeed, some not losing a night's rest. I have also,
on the other hand, had many nervous patients who
have for some few days suffered a great deal. Yet I
have successfully enucleated in cases where the
patient has been so reduced by other disease, and of
so nervous and excitable a temperament, that sur-
geons of repute have refused to exsect by the knife.
Others, again, who have undergone the operation by
the knife, and, from recurrence of their disease,
have submitted to my enucleating their cancerous
growths, have declared “that what they suffered from
my treatment, was not to be compared with the pain
and agony they endured during the first operation."
Such being some of the advantages that properly
conducted enucleation possesses over the knife,
candour compels me to state it is by no means an in-
fallible operation, for though in all, the diseased mass
may be safely removed, yet, in a small per-centage
of cases, the disease does return again. The per-
centage of recurrence after the use of the knife is at
least ninety per cent. Indeed, leading surgeons state
that the disease invariably returns in every case, for—
Dr. M Farlane, late Professor of the Practice of Medicine
Maou
101
in the University of Glasgow, states (Medical Gazette, 24th
June, 1838), that of thirty-two cases of well-marked cancer
of the breast, which were operated upon by himself, and
eighty-six cases that were operated upon by his friends, not
one was permanently cured. Several of the operations were
fatal. He is of opinion that "the operation never arrests,
but almost uniformly accelerates the progress of the
disease."
Mr. Fergusson says, "My own experience coincides
entirely with that of every unprejudiced observer, that
when malignant growths are removed with the knife, their
return is but too likely.
The late Professor Millar wrote, "It is only a small
number of the many cases which present themselves to the
surgeon which warrant operation."
Mayo, in his “Outlines of Pathology," says, "After
amputation of a scirrhous breast, under the most favorable
circumstances, I believe that in ninety-nine cases out of one
hundred the disease returns."
In a Report "On the Utility of Surgical Operations in
Cancer," presented to the French Academy of Sciences by
Dr. Leroy d'Etoilles, in 1844, it was shown, from documents
furnished by 174 practitioners, that the average time from
operation until death is one year and five months; and he
adds, that in operating early it does not appear to be the
fact that the tumour is prevented from degenerating.
1
Mr. Paget says, "He is not aware of a single case of
recovery; and as to the influence of an operation in pro-
longing life, I believe that the removal of the local disease
makes no material difference in the average duration of
life."
Surely, after such testimony from the leading
102
surgeons of the day, against using the knife, my
mode of enucleation, which has been proved by
living witnesses to be successful in so many cases,
should be preferred and adopted, to all others. The
recurrence of cancerous disease among my patients
can only be traced in about fifteen per cent., and in
most of them the return can be traced to some im-
prudence on their part.
Although enucleation be a most valuable aid in
treating cancerous disease (for it is only an aid, the
operation itself will never cure, it is the constitu-
tional treatment that is of most consequence), yet it
can be employed, comparatively, only in a few of the
cases that I meet with, for I find that in not more
than one, in every ten cases, am I justified in
attempting to remove the disease. The reasons are,
either in some few cases, the disease is still in such
a state as to give hopes of effecting a cure, without
having resort to an operation; or, in the majority of
cases, the disease has advanced too far to give any
hope of effecting a cure, or even of prolonging life,
by enucleation, although life may, for months and
years, be prolonged by judicious constitutional, and
topical applications. My treatment varies in almost
every case, and I never prescribe, especially in the
first instance, without seeing my patient, for all phy-
sicians, who are truly called to their profession, ex-
perience, when they see a patient, a peculiar some-
thing, that flashes across their minds, and, as it were,
103
dictates a certain treatment, or a certain medicine;
when such is the case, and the instinctive instruction
is carried out, I have never failed, not only in
malignant, but also in other diseases, in benefiting
my patients. When this feeling is absent, then I
feel uncertain as to the benefits that will be derived
from my prescriptions. My prescriptions, however,
are mainly confined to the new American vegetable
alkaloids, the majority of which I have introduced
into this country, and whose efficacy in the treat-
ment not only of cancerous but of other diseases, is
acknowledged and corroborated by all who have
tried them.
To prove the advantage of this treatment over
others, I transcribe a letter received from the daugh-
ter of a lady whom I was called in to see in the last
stage of this terrible disease. When I saw her, I
told her husband that I did not think his poor, suf-
fering wife could live a fortnight, yet God blessed
the means I employed, and she lived in comparative
comfort for more than nine months. However, the
daughter's letter explains the case better than I
can do.
MRS. M——. Ulcerated Cancer of the Right Breast.
About June, 1860, became conscious of a darting, prick-
ing pain in the right breast, nearing the armpit, and upon
examination, detected the existence of a small, hard lump,
somewhat deep seated. This went on till the following
104
June, during which period the small, hard lump increased
in size to that of a small nut, pain in proportion. The first
medical consultation was with Dr. Evans, whose treatment
was carbon dressings, i.e., "powdered charcoal, "yolk of
eggs," and "bay salt;" and internally acacia charcoal, in
the form of a jam, with occasional aperients. This treatment
was continued about three months, but unattended with
alleviation, the lump increasing in size and in pain. A
similar treatment was continued occasionally during another
three months. Mr. Toulmin, of Clapton, was consulted
after this, and applied plasters externally, and tonics in-
ternally. His treatment extended over three months,
during which period, on the surface over and about the
lump, commenced a slight and almost imperceptible suppu-
ration :- -no alleviation under this treatment. Mr. Toul-
min's visits discontinued, and the patient went away for
about six weeks, returned home, and consulted Mr. Smith, of
Burton Crescent, Tavistock Square, who pronounced the
disease a tumour, which would probably end in cancer.
Under his treatment, the suppurating tumour was healed
up by internal and external applications. This treatment
continued about four months; but during this period the
wound reopened, and commenced suppuration. Upon this
Mr. Smith suggested further advice, and declined further
responsibility. The period including the treatment, herein
named, extended over three years, during which time the
tumour steadily increased in size, and without any allevi-
ation of pain. Dr. Julius Baetcke, of the German Hospital,
Dalston, was consulted. He probed and examined the wound
minutely, and pronounced it a "bad case:" treatment, “linseed
meal" poultices and iron tonics. Patient under him two
months, but without improvement. After this, fig poul-
tices were applied, under the advice of a friend, and con-
tinued for a period of four months. Mr. Fergusson, of
105
King's College Hospital, was then consulted, and pro-
nounced the disease to be cancer of the worst form. His
treatment consisted of fig, linseed meal, and bread poul-
tices, with iron tonics. Mr. Fergusson's treatment ex-
tended from November to the following January (1864), up to
the 19th, upon which day Dr. Pattison saw the patient. At
this stage the disease, which had steadily progressed during
the whole period of three years and a half, had assumed a
condition as pronounced by Dr. Pattison incurable, and the
sufferings attendant upon it almost insupportable. The
suppuration was profuse and offensive, proceeding from an
extensive wound, extending from the nipple into the arm-
pit. During Dr. Pattison's treatment, the patient's state
underwent various changes and conditions. The arm be-
came involved and paralysed. At one period erysipelas
supervened, and at another jaundice. Under Dr. Pattison's
treatment the patient experienced great and marked allevi-
ations. Applications applied to the wound rapidly removed
its offensiveness, both in condition and smell, which was at
times very bad. Internal remedies which were administered
checked and relieved the unsupportable pain in a marked
and extraordinary degree. Remedies applied to the swollen
and paralysed arm during erysipelas were also particularly
marked in their action and power of removing pain and
suffering. Dr. Pattison's treatment extended over a period
of nine months, but although unable to effect a cure, as
originally stated in his first interview with his patient, yet
the means and remedies resorted to by him were eminently
successful in affording relief and alleviation under the
acute sufferings to which the patient was subjected.
CLAPTON; 23rd January, 1865.
106
This sad case truly shows how little even the most
eminent of the profession are able to accomplish.
Mr. Toulmin, Mr. Smith, of Burton Crescent, Dr.
Baetcke, and Mr. Fergusson-all are men of emi-
nence and mark in their several spheres-all failed.
As the disease advanced, they had only one topical
application, by poultices, which I will endeavour, in
the next chapter,-to prove are worse than useless,
and they acknowledge they possess nothing more
constitutional, than the various iron tonics. Surely
this one case, if I had no other (and I am proud to
say, I have hundreds), would be sufficient in the
eyes of the unprejudiced to induce them to try the
effect of these new remedies in other cases, and to
admit that my new treatment, especially in desperate
cases, is more successful than their own.
The following is a list of the principal agents I use
in treating malignant disease. I use them both
topically and internally, depending on the peculiari-
ties of the case :—
ASCLEPIADIN, prepared from the root of the ASCLEPIAS
TUBEROSA.-An excellent alterative, diuretic and tonic. I
frequently give it with success in the peculiar rheumatic
pains, which are a frequent sequence to cancerous disease.
APOCYNIN, prepared from the root of the APOCYNUM
CANNABINUM.-It possesses cathartic and diuretic pro-
perties. A good medicine in cases of ovarian dropsy.
ATROPIN, prepared from the leaves and roots of the ATROPA
BELLADONNA.—Useful in neuralgia, fevers-especially those
107
accompanied with eruptions, as scarlet fever, &c.—and of
benefit in mania, dependent on uterine disturbance.
BAPTISIN, prepared from the stalks and leaves of the
BAPTISIA TINCTORIA.-A most valuable agent in treating
Amenorrhoea; indeed even in the most obstinate cases of sup-
pression of the monthly discharge, I have never failed speedily
to restore it, either by giving baptisin or macrotin. Both
are equally valuable for this purpose. (See MACROTIN.)
COLLINSONIN, prepared from the root of the COLLINSONIA
CANADENSIS.-This medicine exerts a peculiar influence
on the rectum and adjacent parts. It is useful in treating
piles and abscesses.
CYRIPEDIN, prepared from the root of the CYRIPEDIUM
PUBESCENS.—A good tonic, and useful in chorea from its
affinity to the purple lady slipper of Canada (Saracenia
purpurea). It will probably be found useful in treating
smallpox and similar exanthematous diseases.
CAULOPHYLLIN, prepared from the root of the CAULO-
PHYLLUM THALICTROIDES.-Excellent in the treatment of
dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, &c., &c.
CORYDALIDIN, prepared from the root of the CORYDALIS
FORMOSA. A useful medicine in cases of scrofula.
CERASIN, prepared from the bark of the CERASUS VIR-
GINIANA.—One of the best tonics I am acquainted with.
It can be given with success in place of quinine. Indeed,
from my experience of this agent, I prefer it to quinine,
as it never gives rise to the pains in the head and other
disagreeable symptoms that frequently follow the use of
the latter medicine.
DIGITALIDIN, prepared from the leaves of the DIGITALIS
PURPUREA.—Useful in rheumatism, &c., &c.; and in those
cases where abortion is threatened.
GELSEMININ, prepared from the root of the GELSEMINUM
SEMPERVIRENS.-An excellent febrifuge, useful in the
108
rheumatic and neuralgic pains peculiar to cancerous
disease.
GERANIN, prepared from the root of the GERANIUM MA-
CULATUM.-A good astringent; therefore useful in hæmor-
rhages, leucorrhoea, &c., &c.
HYDRASTIDIN, prepared from the root of the HYDRASTIS
CANADENSIS. -Exerts a peculiar action on mucous sur-
faces, and has a sui-generis action on the liver-useful in
cancerous affections of the liver or stomach, piles, leu-
corrhoea, gonorrhoea, otorrhoea, &c., &c.
HAMAMELIDIN, prepared from the leaves and bark of the
HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA.-Astringent and sedative. One
of the most valuable agents that we possess in treating
uterine disease.
LEPTANDRIN, prepared from the root of the LEPTANDRIA
VIRGINICA.-A gentle laxative, useful in the treatment of
piles, dyspepsia, &c.
MACROTIDIN, prepared from the root of the MACROTIS
RACEMOSA. (See BAPTISIN.)
I use
MYRICIN, prepared from the bark of the root of the MYRICA
CERIFERA.-A valuable alterative and stimulant.
it in all cases where a low state of the body exists, and in-
variably with marked success.
PHYTOLACCIN, prepared from the root of the PHYTOLACCA
DECANDRIA.—-Useful in glandular affections. Formerly,
the Phytolacca was extensively used among the slave popu-
lation in the West Indies, for treating cancerous and malig-
nant sores. For this purpose, it has proved almost inert
in my hands.
PODOPHYLLIN, prepared from the root of the PODO-
PHYLLUM PELTATUM.-A most valuable cathartic, exerting
a special influence on the hepatic circulation-in many
cases, preferable to mercurials.
SENECIONIN, prepared from the stalks and leaves of the
109
SENECIO GRACILIS.-Diuretic and tonic-useful in dropsy,
and in cases of debility, with loss of appetite.
STILLINGIN, prepared from the root of the STILLINGIA
SYLVATICA.—Alterative and stimulant-useful in cutaneous
diseases.
SCUTELLARIN, prepared from the SCUTELLARIA LATERI-
FLORA,—An excellent tonic, and anti-spasmodic-useful in
mania hysteria, and in nervous debility.
VIBURNIN, prepared from the bark of the VIBURNUM
OPULUS.-Anti-spasmodic, alterative, and tonic-useful in
convulsions, threatened abortions, &c., &c.
VERATRUM VIRIDE.-The concentrated tincture (not the
alkaloid) is the preparation I always use. It is almost a
specific in erysipelas, and similar diseases. I frequently
employ it in painting the inflamed surface three or four
times daily. A medical friend told me he had treated con-
fluent smallpox (preventing pitting) with success, by paint-
ing the whole face with equal parts of the concentrated
tinctures of the Hydrastis Canadensis and of Veratrum
Viride.
XANTHOXYLIN, prepared from the bark of the XANTHO-
XYLUM FRAXINEUM.-Useful in rheumatism and scrofula.
In addition to these, I use many of the medicines
that are in general use, dependent on the symptoms
that may arise. In some few cases narcotics, for a
time, are indispensable, and when such is the case I
generally prefer codeine, when the object is to allay
suffering; but, where sleep is necessary, I generally
prescribe Battley's solution of opium, in preference
to all other preparations; for it is a curious fact,
that although Codein allays pain, yet it seldom in-
110
duces sleep. In some few cases, I find Nepenthe
and Chlorodyne agree better with the patient than
either Codeine or Battley; but these are exceptional
cases.
Great attention should be paid to diet. Only those
articles of food that are of the most nutritious cha-
racter should be given. All salted food should be
prohibited. (I do not mean by this that salt is not
allowable, for every dish should be made as savoury
and enticing to the palate as possible.) If there is
much flatulence, which is frequently the case, the
quantity of vegetable food should be reduced to a
smaller quantity than usual. The bowels may fre-
quently be regulated by means of fruit, &c. In
those cases where debility is the most prominent
feature, stimulants must be judiciously administered.
Always, when the poor patient is much reduced, by
long suffering, pale brandy is the best-indeed, it is
the only admissible spirit in such cases; but in the
majority of cases, where the prostration of strength
is not so great, I find great benefit from the free
administration of the pure Hungarian wines-more
especially those known as the Carlowitz and Tokay
wines, imported by Max Greger, Esq. These wines
are invaluable to invalids, from their containing
phosphoric acid and iron, and from their freedom from
adulteration.
It is from using these medicinal remedies, from
111
strict attention to Hygienic and dietetic agents-but
above all, to God's blessing-that I have been so
successful in treating this formidable class of
disease.
CHAPTER III.
In this chapter I will conclude this slight sketch
of cancerous disease, by warning the patients what
to avoid, having in the last chapter advised them
what to do.
Avoid Delay. This, alas, is a too common form of
danger in these diseases. The doctor declares "it
is only a tumour," and nothing is to be feared.
This opinion soothes the mind; it is in accordance
with the feelings; it is pleasanter to remain at
home, than to go elsewhere for medical assistance; the
demon procrastination has been invoked, and in these
cases, the end of procrastination is death.
Avoid the Knife.*-I have written so fully on this
* Since the above was in the press, I have met with a
sad case affording convincing proof to an unprejudiced
mind, of the madness of being persuaded to submit to the
knife, and the culpability on the part of the surgeon in
attempting an operation which (if he has had any experience
at all in such cases) he must know will not prolong life, but
aggravate suffering, and make the remaining short period
of existence wretched and unendurable beyond description.
Miss C, aged thirty years, called on me last Saturday
113
:
subject in my other books, that for full information
regarding the evils that result from exsection by the
(28th January, 1865), when she gave me the following
history of her case. In August last she accidentally felt a
small tumour in her right breast, unaccompanied by pain;
feeling anxious, she consulted her family surgeon, who
said, if it did not get better in a week after using a lotion
he prescribed, it must be cut out. The lotion was tried,
but it produced no effect. Another surgeon in Norwich
was consulted, who gave the same advice as "the family
friend." The result was that the poor lady submitted to
the operation by the knife, on the 6th October last (1864).
Up to the time of the operation, not the slightest pain had
been felt in the tumour, nor had it increased much, since
first noticed in August. During the first week after the
operation everything seemed going on satisfactorily, but
on the eighth day the disease reappeared, accompanied
with almost constant excruciating pain; the sore never
properly cicatrized. On examination, I found a hard scir-
rhous mass attached to the ribs, and extending under the
arm towards the shoulder-blade, the glands in the neck
were also affected. Emaciation, and that peculiar waxy,
haggard expression, only seen in the advanced stages of
cancer, was painfully impressed on her young and beauti-
ful face; adding to all this misery, the disease had attacked
her lungs. What the end will be, we must leave to the
imagination of our readers. I will only further remark
that probably there never was a more favourable case for
an operation than this one-a small tumour, evidently in
its first stage, as it was unaccompanied by pain; the
patient had also youth and strength in her favour; yet
here we find the knife failed. If it fails in such a case, what
hope can those have whose disease is more advanced, and
8
114
knife, I must refer the reader to them; only stating
that if this disease be one of the blood, the mere ex-
tirpation by a severe, and often fatal, operation, is
worse than useless, as in ninety-nine cases out of one
hundred operated upon, the disease returns within
two years and a half; indeed, the average period of
the reappearance of the disease is only eleven
months. Although eleven months is the average
period of many hundred cases, yet the return in
who may not have either youth or strength on their
side ?
It was only yesterday (1st February, 1865), when talking
to a gentleman regarding his wife's case, that he stated to
me, that he had been that morning to a leading surgeon,
who had advised the exsection of a malignant mammary
tumour. By way of encouragement, he told them that at
one of the hospitals 5,000 breasts had been removed with
complete success. Granted that these operations were so
far successful, that the patients were discharged with the
wounds healed-(no mention was made of how many died
under the knife, for this is by no means an unfrequent
occurrence, not only in our hospitals, but also during pri-
vate operations)-how many of these poor unfortunates
were alive twelve months afterwards, we can pretty accu-
rately determine from the tables of recurrence of disease
and deaths, framed by the leading surgeons, and the staff,
of the various hospitals. There would be found, not to be
more than 500 well; or 4,500 would be either dead or dying.
In two years the number would be only 22 well, or less
than half of one per cent. of the original number. Is this
what is called successful operation ?
115
many is marked within a much shorter period of
time. It is not a week since I saw a poor lady who
was operated on early last December: the disease
immediately reappeared, before the wound was healed;
and now, not much more than six weeks from the
operation, she is again hopelessly afflicted with can-
cerous disease, in its worst form. The following
extract from a letter I received on the 16th De-
cember last (1864), will surely convince the most
prejudiced of the folly of submitting to the knife :-
R. H., 15th December, 1864.
SIR, I have heard through a late patient of yours, Mrs.
S of Watford, of your treatment of cancer. My wife
was taken with a pain in her right breast about three
months ago last Saturday. About ten days or a fortnight
after, I took her to Mr. P-, who pronounced it "scir-
rhous cancer," but thought it possible he might disperse
it.* After trying for three weeks, he gave up the case,
pronouncing it to be the most rapid case of cancer he ever
had to deal with. Of course, I was anxious to try further,
thinking possibly that even the best of opinions might be
in error. After consulting our local medical man, I took
my wife to Mr. S
of Saville Row, who said the case
was not cancer at all, and suggested an operation, which he
felt very confident would prove effectual as a cure.
We
thought before we consented that another opinion was
* Here is an admission of a leading surgeon that scirrhus
may be dispersed; when I advocated that it could be, some
years ago, I was scouted at as a visionary.
116
+
desirable, and a Mr. A-, of Saville Row, having given
an opinion corroborating Mr. S--'s views, and recom-
mending an operation, my wife had her breast removed on
the 31st October, after which it was called an enucleated
tumour. Relief was only given for about ONE WEEK, when
she was in MORE PAIN THAN EVER, and went again to see
Mr. S, who then pronounced it, as Mr. P- had done
at first, "painfully rapid cancer," although he at first pro-
nounced against cancer altogether.
Dr. Pattison, 10, Cavendish Road, St. John's Wood.
;
This, my reader, to me is no uncommon letter
frequently I receive almost similar details, in which
the patient has been induced by the plausible asser-
tions of his medical adviser, who says, it is only a
tumour," and submits to this fearful ordeal. I
grant it is done for the best, and with the kindest
motives; but great must be the responsibility of
those who trifle so with human life, and who blindly
(not wishing to see) shut their eyes against all im-
provements, or, as they call them, "encroachments
on the profession." What can we think of a pro-
fession, in which three of its most distinguished
members differ, as to the character of a tumour,
which a young student should have correctly dia-
gnosed?—what, when two of these gentlemen, having
the tumour in their hands, call it an encysted tu-
mour? The melancholy result proves that these two
ornaments of their profession know no more of ma-
lignant tumour when they see it than they do of the
117
physiological properties of tobacco, or the proper
use of a freezing mixture. Reader, beware of the
knife! Your life will be prolonged, and with less
suffering to yourself, by leaving it to run its course,
than by submitting to the knife.
Avoid Caustics.—I would warn all persons to
beware of allowing caustics to be applied, with the
hope of relieving the disease. (Of course I except
scientific enucleation, for then the whole of the
disease is removed.) Indeed, strange as it may ap-
pear, I have seen more than one case in which the sur-
geon has burnt a circular hole in the breast, for the
purpose of letting it run out, as he told the patient.
There is a gentleman in Paris, who has lately
treated cancers by means of caustic in a manner,
which, I am happy to say, will never be submitted
to in England. I knew a lady who underwent this
treatment—a treatment which nearly cost her life.
His mode of operating is to pierce the breast in
every direction with a trochar, and into the bleeding
wounds to force a tube of pure chloride of zinc-
perhaps fifteen or twenty at one time. The agony
was so great, that the patient fainted during each
operation. Four such dressings were required, when
the poor breast and tumour having been pierced and
burnt in every direction and in every part, a poultice
was applied, and the destroyed mass was allowed to
slough away. I need not say that the operation, as
to curing the disease, was as ineffectual as it was
118
cruel. This lady has been under a gentle soothing
alterative treatment for more than a year, and a
marked change for the better is observed at every
visit.
Avoid using the tincture of Iodine, or any other
irritating application, to the surface of a tumour.
Write it down as a golden rule, never to irritate a
malignant growth; always try to soothe it, if you
hope for success. I frequently see cases which are
hastened, in a few weeks, from the first, or simple
stage, into the third, or ulcerative stage, through the
ignorance of the medical attendant applying linseed
poultices, with the hope of producing suppuration
(they foolishly believing that they detect matter-
for many tumours, especially those of a malignant
character, have the feeling of fluctuation, as if they
contained fluid, when in reality they contain none).
These applications should never be submitted to,
and any surgeon who can recommend them, is de-
plorably ignorant of malignant disease. Of all ap-
plications, iodine is perhaps the worst, as it not only
sets up an inflammatory action, with much pain, but
it destroys the skin, and hastens the period of ulcera-
tion.
Leeches ought to be avoided.—They are frequently
applied, with the idea that the tumour is owing to
inflammatory action. The use of leeches is highly
injurious and dangerous, for these diseases seldom
owe their origin to inflammatory action. 1 have
119
seen several melancholy cases, where leeches have
been applied, in this, and the second stage, where
erysipelas has set in, and death has followed in a few
weeks.
Anything that may tend to reduce the system must
be avoided. I frequently meet with cases, where the
poor sufferers have been half starved by their foolish
attendants, whose practice necessarily causes a rapid
increase of the disease. It is a cardinal rule in the
treatment of cancerous disease, to support the sys-
tem, by means of the most nourishing diet, with a
moderate use of stimulants-but never to reduce the
vital power.
Avoid poultices of figs, and the pernicious habit of
drinking the milk, in which they are boiled.—Fig
poultices, some years ago, became fashionable through
an article supplied to a morning paper, by a chemist
in London. They are very injurious, owing to their
dragging, drawing nature; they cause much irrita-
tion, but, what is worse, the poor sufferer places
such confidence in doing something, recommended
by a fashionable paper, that often too much valuable
time is lost, and a favorable case for radical treat-
ment often, through these figs, is removed in a few
short weeks, from the first, to the third or last stage,
of this terrible disease. Do nothing, rather than try
figs. Further, the milk in which the figs are boiled
is given as a drink this is objectionable, for, al-
though the boiled milk can have no specific effect
120
upon the disease, yet, in several instances, I have
known it to induce nausea, and indigestion, thereby
further reducing the system.
Rubbing the breast should be avoided.-Friction
always sets up, in the delicate gland, more or less
inflammatory action; therefore, this must be avoided.
Lay your applications on the breast-never rub it.
The application of poisonous substances, especially
mineral and metallic poisons, is dangerous.-The
acetate of lead, for instance, is accompanied with
danger. I have had many cases, from the Cancer
Hospital, at Brompton, where the patients were suf-
fering from lead poisoning, induced by the lead, and
oil lotions used there. The sufferings from the
disease are hard enough to bear, without adding the
risk of poisoning to it.
The diseased parts ought never to be kept too
warm, or warmer than the adjacent parts of the body.
-Most patients come to me the first time with
their breast carefully protected with large masses of
cotton wool, or with a dressed hare or rabbit skin,
&c., &c. These appliances are recommended by men.
of high standing, whose opinion ought to have great
weight. I think they forget, that if, one portion of
the body is kept at a higher temperature than the
rest, there must be an increased flow of blood to
that part, the vessels must be distended, and, disease
existing there already, the increased supply of blood,
must tend rapidly to increase the mischief.
121
Beware of congelation or freezing of a cancerous
tumour.-This mode of treatment was introduced
some few years ago, by Dr. James Arnott. It is ob-
jectionable, for its exciting the parts, to violent
action and rapid growth, for, although a part may
be frozen for the time, yet when reaction takes
place the pain is agonising; and the inflammatory
action is increased, and rapid destruction of the
affected organ takes place. Indeed, it is worse, and
more unmanageable, than the actual cautery.
Avoid using the arm on the afflicted side, which
ought to be kept at rest as much as possible.—The
patient ought to avoid raising the arm to the head,
as for example, in attempting to dress the back hair.
Avoid the lead and oil mixtures and the potassa
powders of the too celebrated Cancer Hospital: the
one softens the skin, and encourages the growth of
the disease; and the lead, assisted by the potash,
utterly destroys the constitution—the one by induc-
ing lead poisoning, the other by irritating the coats
of the stomach and destroying digestion.
Scarcely a week passes without some poor suf-
ferer (who has wasted strength and precious time,
in attending this charity) coming to me; and the
treatment in all cases is so similar, judging as I do,
from their prescriptions, that I should fail in my
duty not to expose the system. For this purpose I
will select only one case, from many, from my Case
Book, copying the prescriptions from Mr., or rather
122
Doctor, Marsden's own MS., so that every statement
I make can be verified :—
CASE 942.—MRS. W—, aged 47 years.
This lady first observed a small lump in her right breast
in the early part of the year 1857. She immediately came
up to London, and consulted Dr. Marsden, the chief sur-
geon of the Brompton Cancer Hospital. When he first
saw it, he said it was not far enough advanced for an ope-
ration, but gave her the following prescription—meant, I
suppose to bring the disease into a stage fit for an ope-
ration by the knife, for the merest tyro in the profession
would never dream for a moment that such means could
check its progress, much less effect a cure.
The following are verbatim copies of these pre-
scriptions:-
B Sod. Bicarb. 3iij.
Divid. in Pulv. xii.
Cap. I. bis die.
Die Junii 29th, 1857.
In plain English, this is merely fifteen grains of
carbonate of soda, to be taken twice a day. The
following November, Dr. Marsden pronounced the
breast to be ripe for the knife, and he accordingly
operated. The internal treatment after the opera-
tion was merely an increased quantity of the car-
bonate of soda; for I see, by a prescription dated
the 9th December, 1857, he ordered twenty grains,
instead of fifteen grains. Notwithstanding the
123
knife, and the carbonate of soda, the disease re-
appeared almost immediately; for in the following
April she again came up to Dr. Marsden, the disease
having reappeared in the cicatrix; then the internal
medicine was slightly changed for the following pre-
scription :-
Bo Sod. Carbon, 3iv.
Pulv. Calumbæ 3j.
M.
Divid. in Pulv. xii. Cujus Cap. j. J. D. M.
This means, that 240 grains of carbonate of soda
was to be mixed with sixty grains of calumba root.
This was to be divided into twelve powders, so that
each powder contained twenty grains of the soda,
and five grains of the calumba root.
The too celebrated lead and oil liniment was also
ordered; and by the prescription we see that it is
composed of the following ingredients:-
B Liq. Plumbi Acet.
Ol. Amygdal.
Aquæ, singul. zij.
Fiat Embroc.
i.e., two ounces of sugar of lead water, two ounces
of almond oil, and two ounces of water, are to be
mixed together. Whether the oil and water will
mix, I must leave to chemists to decide.
No experienced surgeon will be surprised to learn
that she grew slowly worse. She persevered in
124
using this liniment for more than a year; and what
was the result? Why, exactly what any man who
has got a tyro's knowledge of his profession would
have predicted from using such a lotion so long;
not only did the disease increase, but she also
suffered from lead poisoning. If such a liniment
could do good to cancer, one would scarcely be
justified in using it for so long a time, for fear of
its poisonous effects being developed; but when it
is worse than useless in cancer, can any person
justify its use? This lady came to see me on the
29th June, 1859, not only suffering from ulcerated.
cancer, but also, as I have stated before, from lead
poisoning, accompanied by paralysis. I pointed out
her danger, and, at her husband's request, I imme-
diately undertook the case, although a most un-
promising one. And now, I have succeeded in
removing all traces of the lead, and have nearly
cured her of the cancerous disease.*
* This lady never completely recovered from the ope-
ration she submitted to-the lead poisoning, and the carbo-
nate of soda, injuring, as they generally do, the stomach.
The disease was deposited in different organs before she
placed herself under my care, and although at one time
(when the above was written, August, 1859) I had strong
hopes of effecting a radical cure, in this I have failed.
However, the means for relieving and checking the progress
of this disease were greatly blessed, and in a letter received
from her (July, 1861), she states that she is very com-
fortable, free from pain, and able to take and enjoy mode-
125
In July, 1859, Dr. Marsden heard that the lady
was suffering from the poisonous effects of his
remedy, and wrote to her on the 29th of the same
month, advising her to leave off using the lead
lotion, but to substitute in its place the following:
B
Cerate Saponis.
Ol. Amygdal. a.a. 3jj.
Tinct. Hyoscyam. Zjj.
Fiat Embroc.
In English, this means mix two ounces of soap
cerate, two ounces of almond oil, and one ounce
of the tincture of henbane, and use as an embro-
cation.
Also, the following, to be taken to drive the lead
poison out of the system :—
B Sp. Ammon. Arom. Zij.
Tinct. Rad. Serpent.
Gentian Co. a.a. 3ss.
Aq. Fontan. 3viii.
Cap. coch. iij. Ampl. D. M.
The literal translation of this prescription, in-
tended for removing lead poisoning from the system,
is, 120 drops of the aromatic spirits of ammonia,
half an ounce of tincture of the root of serpentaria,
the same quantity of the compound tincture of
rate exercise; but she never recovered from this absurd
treatment. I heard of her death about four months ago.
126
gentian, mixed with eight ounces of water; of this,
three tablespoonfuls, or one sixth of the whole, was
to be taken at a dose.
At the present time (27th January, 1865) I have
a lady under my care, who was lately one of Mr.
Marsden's private patients; she continued under
his care, until she was seized with lead colic, and
other symptoms of lead poisoning.
I have entered into detail in this case from no ill-
feeling towards Dr. Marsden; but I think, that the
contributors to the noble hospital at Brompton,
should know something of the mode of treating this
terrible disease, adopted by those whom they have
elected to be their medical staff. I might detail
many more cases of similar mal-treatment, but this
is enough.
Avoid the treatment by compression.-This mode
of treatment was first introduced by Mr. Young,
some fifty years ago. The late Mr. Joherns states,
that "bandages and metallic plates were firmly
attached around the chest, so as to produce pressure
to a considerable extent; the result was that the
breathing became laborious, respiration impeded,
and the patient soon sank exhausted." I mention
this subject as, lately, attempts have been made to
revive it.
Avoid the application of chlorine and arsenical
gases, as used some years ago by a reverend quack.
These empirical remedies ought to be avoided.
127
There are employed for the generation of this gas,
chloride of lime, and diluted sulphuric acid, or oil
of vitriol.
The gas is applied by the following
method:-The diluted acid and chloride of lime are
put into a Florence flask, and the latter is placed
over a spirit-lamp, the wick of which is ignited,
until the contents of the flask boil, and then the
heated steam is conveyed through a glass or gutta-
percha tube attached to the apparatus, to act on the
affected part; and this treatment is repeated daily
for a quarter of an hour each time. I may be
asked, what would be the effect of this mixture, and
whether that effect must not be more potent at the
temperature at which it is applied? When the
heated and irritating steam comes in contact with
the diseased sore, it certainly destroys all odour, but
from its affinity for water, it also tends to destroy a
partially disorganized structure—the slough becomes
dissolved, reducing these unhealthy structures; so
that, for a brief time, the surface becomes dry, and
by removing the ichorous discharges, some allevi-
ation of the pain may be experienced; but the
results prove that, ultimately, the tendency of this
practice is to greatly aggravate the disease of the
organ; for if applied day by day the sloughs are
removed so rapidly that the edges of the wound are
unable to contract, and thus the process of healing
is rendered impossible; and when, in this condition,
the hot gas steaming process is constantly applied
128
to a highly organized structure exposed to its
destructive influence, inflammation becomes more
active, and, as a consequence, there is more intense
pain experienced.
This arises from the fibrous cysts becoming more
freely organized and dense, and from the inflam-
mation extending to the neighbouring tissues. Ago-
nised by the result of the treatment, the poor
patient abandons all hope of cure by such means.
I have seen and heard from many of the reverend
gentleman's victims. In every case he solemnly
promised a cure, and in every case death has occurred
-for all die; he has declared that their disease was
cured, that their death was not owing to the disease,
but to other causes. Far better to live with a
cancer, and let it alone, than suffer torture from
this burning acrid gas, your hopes and strength
failing daily, and to be assured, when dying, that
you are free from disease.
Avoid Dr. Evans's Charcoal or Carbon.-This is
a filthy practice; applying carbon, whether prepared
by the doubtful process of electricity or otherwise,
is totally inert. The only danger is losing valuable
time, and, by destroying the appetite, weakening
the vital powers.
APPENDIX.
THE following correspondence took place between the
Governors of the Middlesex Hospital and myself in 1852,
when I was anxious to introduce my treatment to the pro-
fession under their auspices. This was refused to me, a
native of this country; but the odium of that refusal was
so great, that in 1856, or 1857, they actually solicited a
foreign adventurer to try his method of cure, which proved
to be a complete failure. From this fact has arisen the
report (I hope unwittingly) that I had a ward in that
hospital, and that my treatment was a failure. The fol-
lowing letters will prove that such is not the fact :
LETTER No. I.
To the Honorable the Governors and Directors of the
Middlesex Hospital.
LONDON; November, 1852.
Gentlemen,—For the last ten years I have been actively
engaged as an operating surgeon, and during the greater
portion of that time I have paid particular attention to an
extensive and exceedingly troublesome class of diseases. In
company with Dr. Walter, of Louisiana, I have conducted
many experiments, and at last we have discovered a remedy
which we believe is certain and efficacious in the following
class of diseases, viz., Simple, Malignant, and Cancerous
130
Tumours, Malignant, Scrofulous, and Sluggish Ulcers (espe-
cially that flat Ulcer, so commonly found in debilitated and
worn-out constitutions, and erroneously supposed to be
owing to a varicose state of the veins), Caries of Bones,
Lupus and Malignant Cancer. All the above-named dis-
eases, with the exception of the last terrible disease, are ably
and successfully treated by all your distinguished surgeons;
yet we claim that our method of treatment will radically
cure these diseases in one third of the time they at present
take, thereby saving much expense to your Institution. Of
the last-named disease, Malignant Cancer, we claim to cure
fifty per cent. more than at present done by any other
method of treatment. The modus operandi of our treatment
is to remove the whole diseased matter en masse (by a
peculiar preparation), leaving a healthy sore free from all
disease which any surgeon can rapidly heal up. Your
surgeons may say that this is the action of a caustic, and
that chloride of zinc, potassa cum calce, arsenical prepara-
tions, &c., will produce the same effect. To this I merely
reply, that our remedy may act like caustic, yet it possesses
the peculiar action different from all other caustics, viz.,
that it possesses no action or power on healthy tissue,
affecting it no more than the mildest dressing, yet acting
with vigour on diseased textures, separating in a few days
the unhealthy from the healthy. Further, in the treatment
of Ulcers, the great difficulty in the healing of them is well
known to depend on the unhealthy nature of their edges;
but I have found that in the majority of these cases, not
only the edges, but a great portion of the adjoining tissue,
is also in a state of disease, and until all disease is removed,
the cure cannot be permanent. Again, in Malignant Can-
cer, it is an admitted fact, that the whole system becomes
rapidly impregnated with this terrific poison. Now, we
know that any therapeutic agent applied to a raw or
ulcerated surface is rapidly absorbed into the system, and
if there be a combination of therapeutic agents (innocuous
to health), but which have the power of destroying and
131
neutralising the poison of scirrhus, and if such agent can
be applied to an ulcerated or raw surface, and allowed to be
absorbed into the system, until the system becomes saturated
therewith, is not this the only proper and true method of
cure to be used? We claim, as having discovered and used
such a therapeutic combination with success. Although we
claim this as a remedy, yet it must be plain that in all cases
it cannot cure, viz., in cases where the disease has advanced
to its last stages, and the vital powers of the patient have
been worn out, and also in many of those cases where the
knife has been resorted to (INDEED FOR THE LAST
FEW YEARS, SO CONVINCED HAVE I BEEN OF
THE EVIL RESULTS OF ATTEMPTING TO RE-
MOVE MALIGNANT CANCER WITH THE KNIFE,
THAT WITHIN THAT PERIOD I HAVE REFUSED
TO OPERATE IN MANY CASES), but we claim we can
cure at least fifty per cent. more than at present is cured by
any other system.
Gentlemen,-Having now fully stated what I believe I
am able to do, and knowing from your situation as Gover-
nors of the splendid charity over which you preside, that
you will be willing to introduce, as far as lies in your power,
anything for the relief of suffering humanity, I humbly beg
permission to be allowed to introduce it into your Hospital
on the following terms :-
First,-In order to convince your Honorable Board that
there is nothing dangerous or unprofessional in my mode of
treatment, I shall be willing to reveal and show my method
to any one surgeon of a well-known standing, and a person
known to be a man of honour, whom you may choose, and
whom you can prevail upon to undertake the trust (I should
prefer Mr. Lawrence or Sir B. Brodie), on his pledging his
word of honour not to reveal it to any one, or to practise
this new method without my written consent to do so; then
that gentleman can inform your Honorable Board whether
it will prove dangerous or not, and superintend the cases.
Secondly,―That a limited number, say twenty patients-
132
(having not yet recovered from a severe accident, I could
not at present attend to more)-afflicted by the above class
of diseases, shall be chosen by the Surgeon of the Hospital
and myself (fair cases), and removed into a separate ward
for the time being, under the sole control of the gentleman
you may choose, and myself, and that proper and trust-
worthy nurses be placed in the said ward under our control.
Thirdly,―That drawings or wax models of the worst
cases of disease be taken previous to commencement of
treatment, and again after the removal of all disease; said
drawings or models, or copies thereof, to belong to me,
without expense.
Fourthly,—That when I have removed all disease, and
reduced the sore to a state of a healthy sore, the patient
shall then be considered as cured, and placed under the
care of the House Surgeon, for treatment of simple sore.
Fifthly, That the diseased masses, when removed, shall
belong to me; and, lastly, having accomplished these cures
in the manner above stated, I shall then receive an acknow-
ledgment to that effect from your Honorable Board.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
JOHN PATTISON, M.D.
LETTER, No. II.
Copy of First Letter from the Governors of the Middlesex
Hospital to Dr. Pattison.
MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL; 23rd Nov., 1852.
SIR,-I beg leave to inform you that your letter of 17th
instant has been read at the Board this day, and the
Governors have referred it to the consideration of the
Medical Officers of the Institution, and as soon as the Board
receive their report, I will communicate again with you.
133
The Board desires to submit to you that, as you have
named two eminent English Surgeons whom you would
prefer to see your remedies applied, who are not connected
with this Hospital, whether it is not desirable you should
in the mean time communicate with them.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
MICHAEL SMITH, Chairman.
To John Pattison, Esq., M.D.
LETTER, No. III.
Of the Governors of the Middlesex Hospital to Dr. Pattison.
MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL; 30th Nov., 1852.
SIR,-I beg leave to inform you that your letter having
been duly considered by the Medical Committee, as well as
by the Board of Management of the Hospital, they find that
a fundamental Rule of the Institution requires that "the
Surgeons shall enter into a book respectively the names of
their patients, with a general statement of their cases, and
should any extraordinary circumstance occur in the pro-
gress of a Case, or should any remedy be providentially
discovered, a record shall be made thereof, and published
for the benefit of society."
The Governors, therefore, are, as you will perceive, pre-
cluded from availing themselves of your proposal.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Dr. Pattison.
Your most obedient Servant,
MICHAEL SMITH, Chairman.
LONDON: J. E. ADLARD, PRINTER, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.
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