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THE IMPERIAL CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN AND THE CANCER PROBLEM.
308 from their funds to individuals who in their
Portsmouth, Buxton, Burnley, Weybridge, Watford,
opinion
Sutton, Enfield, Blackburn, Altrincham, and similar displayed unusual ability, originality, and initiative
appeals
are
being prepared
for other towns
The subsidy granted by the Treasury to Imperial Cancer Research Fund is utterly inadequate, and during the debate on the Ministry of Health vote on June 28th, in response to my appeal, the Ministry admitted this, but unless the public shows decidedly that it is behind the Minister in this connexion I fear the Treasury will not find the necessary funds. In virtue of any subsidy granted by the House of Commons, the Minister of Health, officials of his department, and Members of the House should be represented on the committee. In my view, however, the Minister can assist research in other ways than by subsidy, and that, too, to an extent and with an efficiency which he alone can bring to bear. I refer to the clinical side
this in research. the
autumn.
Realising that printed matter is often thrown in waste-paper basket unread, the various local secretaries have been asked to write out an appeal which has been reproduced, a stamped envelope is addressed to every non-subscriber, and sent to the local secretary who completes the letter by inserting the name. The reply is returned to the office or the local secretary as the latter desires. In some cases an addressed stamped envelope is enclosed for reply. Up to the time of writing over 2400 in new subscriptions, largely in bankers’ orders, have been received this year and replies are still coming in. Not only have these undertakings been initiated by the hon. secretary, Dr. Newton Pitt, but owing to the illness of research. He alone can procure and collate that of the secretary the bulk of the work has fallen upon mass of clinical information possessed by the medical him. The festival dinner in 1913, at which 93197 practitioners throughout the country. Through his was raised, at least informed the profession, the medical officers of health and their staffs, and the entire body being circularised of the existence and Registrar-General’s department, every case of death needs of the Fund. Taking the last two decennial from cancer notified might be investigated not by a periods, the income from investments and subscrip- lay official, but by the M.O.H. himself or his tubercutions amounted in 1902 to .S3946, in 1912 to .66222, losis officer, and a questionnaire drawn up that might and in 1922 to 8080, the amounts distributed include all matters bearing upon possible cancer being respectively .83795, .65497, .68397. The number causation. Cancer areas, and there are such, might of grantees has increased from 140 in 1902 to 304 in be mapped out. Cancer houses, and it is suspected there are such, might be located. Information might 1922, and annuitants from 140 to 168. The progress of the Guild, a branch of the Fund,be gleaned from meteorological, geological, water, and is shown by the increase in income from ;61725 in food-supply experts, et hoc genus omne. No possible 1912 to =62536 in 1922. The progressive character avenue of approach to cancer should be left unexand successful results of the Guild’s work are well plored, and this could best be done through the health known. Notwithstanding all that is being done the departments of the various local authorities under income is far below what is needed, and it must, the guidance of the Minister. We are so utterly I fear, be recognised that the lack of support is due ignorant of the causes and sources of cancer that we to the apathy of the profession and not the slackness never know at what moment or from what direction of the committee of management or of its executive. illuminating knowledge may arrive. I am. Sir. vours faithfullv. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, LEONARD MOLLOY. CHARTERS J. SYMONDS, Blackpool, August 1st, 1923. the
.
Hon. Treasurer.
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, 11, Chandos-street, W. 1, August 6th, 1923. PS.-Since the above was written I have seen the letter which appeared in THE LANCET last week from Dr. Astley V. Clarke, explaining the method adopted by the practitioners on the panel in Leicester of subscribing to the Fund a farthing for each Stateinsured person. Last year this yielded 950. I hope, with Dr. Astley Clarke, that other insurance areas will follow the example of Leicester.
THE IMPERIAL CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN AND THE CANCER PROBLEM. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-The labours of the Medical Research Council and of the administrators of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund have been distinctly disappointing, and I fear unless the promoters of the British Imperial Cancer Research Campaign exercise their functions as to the use of the moneys they secure very wisely and very well the knowledge gained may be equally disheartening and disappointing. Before going to the public for the large sum of money they require to put cancer research on a hopeful basis, it would be well to ensure that the administrative side of the scheme should be worked out not by a committee of scientists and medical experts alone, but that men of proved administrative and business capacity should be added to it, and that when the scheme is decided upon its operation should be in the hands of such a hybrid committee, and that it should have such powers of control conferred upon it as would ensure efficient coordination and cooperation, the avoidance of overlapping, and the strictest economy in the carrying out of research in all its This committee should have varied departments. power to afford pecuniary aid and special facilities for using the resources of any or all institutions subsidised
I
CANCER FACTS AND THEORIES. To the Editor
I
of THE LA)[CET.
SiB.—May I be allowed to add a few remarks, from a different point of view, to your admirable leading article with this title in your issue of July 28th. The complete change in the whole aspect of cancer research as a result of the discovery of means by which primary cancer can be produced in laboratory animals hardly seems to be realised. Before this discovery was made an incalculable number of experiments were done with transmissible tumours derived from primary cancers. Upon this work a vast superstructure of theory was built
and acres of paper wasted. In my own case I wasted several years working with these tumours produced by grafting, to find in the end that they had not the characteristics of primary cancer, that what would cure them with practical certainty had no effect on primary cancer, and that in fact the two were in no way comparable. There was at that time no practicable method of bringing primary cancer under experimental conditions either for observation or for the trial of treatments. ’ Cases occurring in the human subject obviously cannot be brought under experimental conditions. Spontaneous cancer occurring in animals is equally unworkable. Only large numbers of superficial cancers observed at a sufficiently early stage and occurring more or less simultaneously would provide the necessary material. When these points are considered it will be realised that those engaged in cancer research laboured under a serious, if not hopeless handicap. This handicap is now removed as far as laboratory work is concerned. Primary cancer can be produced at will and observed under experimental conditions with the full advantage of controls and every other necessary check. All excuse for premature experiments with probable or improbable cures upon the human subject is removed. In these circumstances I think it is desirable that full credit should be given to those who made this
Portsmouth, Buxton, Burnley, Weybridge, Watford,
opinion
Sutton, Enfield, Blackburn, Altrincham, and similar displayed unusual ability, originality, and initiative
appeals
are
being prepared
for other towns
The subsidy granted by the Treasury to Imperial Cancer Research Fund is utterly inadequate, and during the debate on the Ministry of Health vote on June 28th, in response to my appeal, the Ministry admitted this, but unless the public shows decidedly that it is behind the Minister in this connexion I fear the Treasury will not find the necessary funds. In virtue of any subsidy granted by the House of Commons, the Minister of Health, officials of his department, and Members of the House should be represented on the committee. In my view, however, the Minister can assist research in other ways than by subsidy, and that, too, to an extent and with an efficiency which he alone can bring to bear. I refer to the clinical side
this in research. the
autumn.
Realising that printed matter is often thrown in waste-paper basket unread, the various local secretaries have been asked to write out an appeal which has been reproduced, a stamped envelope is addressed to every non-subscriber, and sent to the local secretary who completes the letter by inserting the name. The reply is returned to the office or the local secretary as the latter desires. In some cases an addressed stamped envelope is enclosed for reply. Up to the time of writing over 2400 in new subscriptions, largely in bankers’ orders, have been received this year and replies are still coming in. Not only have these undertakings been initiated by the hon. secretary, Dr. Newton Pitt, but owing to the illness of research. He alone can procure and collate that of the secretary the bulk of the work has fallen upon mass of clinical information possessed by the medical him. The festival dinner in 1913, at which 93197 practitioners throughout the country. Through his was raised, at least informed the profession, the medical officers of health and their staffs, and the entire body being circularised of the existence and Registrar-General’s department, every case of death needs of the Fund. Taking the last two decennial from cancer notified might be investigated not by a periods, the income from investments and subscrip- lay official, but by the M.O.H. himself or his tubercutions amounted in 1902 to .S3946, in 1912 to .66222, losis officer, and a questionnaire drawn up that might and in 1922 to 8080, the amounts distributed include all matters bearing upon possible cancer being respectively .83795, .65497, .68397. The number causation. Cancer areas, and there are such, might of grantees has increased from 140 in 1902 to 304 in be mapped out. Cancer houses, and it is suspected there are such, might be located. Information might 1922, and annuitants from 140 to 168. The progress of the Guild, a branch of the Fund,be gleaned from meteorological, geological, water, and is shown by the increase in income from ;61725 in food-supply experts, et hoc genus omne. No possible 1912 to =62536 in 1922. The progressive character avenue of approach to cancer should be left unexand successful results of the Guild’s work are well plored, and this could best be done through the health known. Notwithstanding all that is being done the departments of the various local authorities under income is far below what is needed, and it must, the guidance of the Minister. We are so utterly I fear, be recognised that the lack of support is due ignorant of the causes and sources of cancer that we to the apathy of the profession and not the slackness never know at what moment or from what direction of the committee of management or of its executive. illuminating knowledge may arrive. I am. Sir. vours faithfullv. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, LEONARD MOLLOY. CHARTERS J. SYMONDS, Blackpool, August 1st, 1923. the
.
Hon. Treasurer.
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund, 11, Chandos-street, W. 1, August 6th, 1923. PS.-Since the above was written I have seen the letter which appeared in THE LANCET last week from Dr. Astley V. Clarke, explaining the method adopted by the practitioners on the panel in Leicester of subscribing to the Fund a farthing for each Stateinsured person. Last year this yielded 950. I hope, with Dr. Astley Clarke, that other insurance areas will follow the example of Leicester.
THE IMPERIAL CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN AND THE CANCER PROBLEM. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,-The labours of the Medical Research Council and of the administrators of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund have been distinctly disappointing, and I fear unless the promoters of the British Imperial Cancer Research Campaign exercise their functions as to the use of the moneys they secure very wisely and very well the knowledge gained may be equally disheartening and disappointing. Before going to the public for the large sum of money they require to put cancer research on a hopeful basis, it would be well to ensure that the administrative side of the scheme should be worked out not by a committee of scientists and medical experts alone, but that men of proved administrative and business capacity should be added to it, and that when the scheme is decided upon its operation should be in the hands of such a hybrid committee, and that it should have such powers of control conferred upon it as would ensure efficient coordination and cooperation, the avoidance of overlapping, and the strictest economy in the carrying out of research in all its This committee should have varied departments. power to afford pecuniary aid and special facilities for using the resources of any or all institutions subsidised
I
CANCER FACTS AND THEORIES. To the Editor
I
of THE LA)[CET.
SiB.—May I be allowed to add a few remarks, from a different point of view, to your admirable leading article with this title in your issue of July 28th. The complete change in the whole aspect of cancer research as a result of the discovery of means by which primary cancer can be produced in laboratory animals hardly seems to be realised. Before this discovery was made an incalculable number of experiments were done with transmissible tumours derived from primary cancers. Upon this work a vast superstructure of theory was built
and acres of paper wasted. In my own case I wasted several years working with these tumours produced by grafting, to find in the end that they had not the characteristics of primary cancer, that what would cure them with practical certainty had no effect on primary cancer, and that in fact the two were in no way comparable. There was at that time no practicable method of bringing primary cancer under experimental conditions either for observation or for the trial of treatments. ’ Cases occurring in the human subject obviously cannot be brought under experimental conditions. Spontaneous cancer occurring in animals is equally unworkable. Only large numbers of superficial cancers observed at a sufficiently early stage and occurring more or less simultaneously would provide the necessary material. When these points are considered it will be realised that those engaged in cancer research laboured under a serious, if not hopeless handicap. This handicap is now removed as far as laboratory work is concerned. Primary cancer can be produced at will and observed under experimental conditions with the full advantage of controls and every other necessary check. All excuse for premature experiments with probable or improbable cures upon the human subject is removed. In these circumstances I think it is desirable that full credit should be given to those who made this