Alcohol, or some of its combinations, has also been shown by several observers to be undoubtedly an element contributory to the causation of cancer; this relates not only to countries or cities where the consumption is the greatest or least, but also to various occupations, in which statistics show the more or less abundant use of distilled or fermented drinks, and deaths from the same, and in regard to total abstainers; and a careful study of the subject makes it pretty clear that the incidence of cancer corresponds in a measure with drinking habits; that is, that cancer mortality is highest among those classes of persons among whom primary or secondary mortality from alcoholism is greatest. There are so many elements to be taken into consideration in connection with the derangement of metabolism which leads to cancer, that it is difficult to fix the precise influence which each may exert; but in watching cancer cases for any length of time it is easy to see the harmful effect when alcoholic beverages are indulged in, and the improvement when all such are absolutely excluded. An interesting confirmation of the beneficial results of a low diet and simple life, as regards cancer, is found in certain reports of Commissioners of Prisons and Asylums in England, where the matter has been studied, as given by Russell. “Asylums contain an excessive number of persons who have inherited or acquired constitutional weaknesses, and in many cases tendencies toward consumption or cancer; also many alcoholics who are prone to these maladies. Yet the habits and rules of these institutions reduce the cancer rate much below the rate of the classes from which they are drawn, and below the rate of both occupied and unoccupied persons.” The same is observed in regard to many religious orders, where the members lead a very simple and frugal life, and where cancer is reported to be almost unknown. Kessler has called attention to the disturbance of sulphur partition in cancer in connection with diet, and the desirability of excluding those foods exhibiting an excess of sulphur, giving lists of the same and indicating a satisfactory diet.