Observations on the Causes, Symptoms, and Nature of Scrofula or Kings Evil, Scurvy, and Cancer | Page 6

to the neighbourhood of the same
part, and in such cases the disease has generally proceeded in its second
attack with extraordinary rapidity. I am strengthened in this assertion
by the observations of Professor Monro--he says, "Of nearly sixty
cancers which I have been present at the extirpation of, only four
patients remained free of the disease for two years. Three of these lucky
people had occult cancers in the breast, and the fourth had an
ulcerated cancer of the lip. The disease does not always return to the
part where the former tumour was taken away, but more frequently in
the neighbourhood, and sometimes at a considerable distance. Upon a
relapse, the disease in those I saw was more violent, and made a much
quicker progress than it did in others on whom no operation had been
performed."--I believe the whole medical profession are of the same
opinion; in fact, those gentlemen are candid enough to acknowledge
that cancer is a disease over which their art has no control. This is much
to be deplored, inasmuch as it has enabled the most unprincipled
characters to practise their impositions upon the unhappy sufferers with
the greatest impunity. What but the most consummate impudence can
allow a man to assert that he has cured a genuine cancer, when that
very man does not know the nature of cancer, or point out what is, or
what is not, a malignant disease?

Having thus described the nature and symptoms of cancer; and having
adverted to the effect of medicine upon this disease, I shall make some
remarks on the treatment of the same. I have stated there is no specific
remedy known for this disease; and that those who pretend to such
specific are IMPOSTERS of the most dangerous description; such men
will boast of "great discoveries;" they will sound their own trumpet and
tell you that they are men of "great skill;" they will flourish a
"challenge to the world;" and, in fact resort to every means to entrap
the unhappy sufferer, which great impudence, unbounded ignorance,
and glaring falsehoods, will enable them to do. I may also allude to the
indiscretion of those who are induced, by repeated solicitations from
such imposters, to allow their names to be appended to cases which are
false in fact, and only calculated to promote the sordid motives of such
characters. The attestators are thus led to countenance an infamous
species of deception; and are equally responsible to the community for
any injury which such men may inflict. Hence they ought to be
extremely careful in allowing this use to be made of their names, as I
cannot believe it to be their wish to countenance such practices
intentionally. I have thus exposed the fallacy of such a specific for
cancer, and in these remarks I am sure I shall be supported by the
whole medical profession.
I may now observe, that with regard to the treatment which I have
adopted in cancers for the last 26 years, I am ready to confess, that it
has often proved ineffectual as to a cure. During that period I have seen
an immense number of cancerous cases, and I candidly avow that they
have frequently disappointed my wishes, and the hopes of the patients;
I, therefore, do not publish to the world a specific, because in that case I
know I should be stating that which is notoriously untrue; I should be
guilty of a great moral sin, blasting the hopes of those who might
entrust themselves to my care, and hurrying them to their graves, full of
anger, grief, and disappointment. All I can say is, that my mode of
treatment is simple, and that if it do not produce a cure it will at least
mitigate the sufferings of the patient. Many have left me in
consequence of not getting well, they have resorted to other means, and
at last returned to me again, because my mode of treatment appeared to
be most suitable to the disease. When I have failed in a cure, I have

succeeded in alleviating the pain and misery attendant upon such a
dreadful disease, and frequently retarded its progress.
I have thought proper to be thus explicit on the nature and cure of
cancer, and instead of vainly boasting of my success, I have candidly
expressed my opinions on the subject.

ON SCURVY,
Scorbutic, and other Cutaneous Affections.
These generally originate in the use of unwholesome food, want of
cleanliness, and want of exercise; and sometimes from an hereditary
predisposition. They are also frequently dependent on a disordered or
deranged state of the stomach, liver, and bowels, and are often attended
with great debility and depression of spirits. They generally appear
most evident in cold and moist seasons; and, I may