But every one who has been brought much into contact with cancer knows full well what a mass of recurrent cases exist, possibly many of them due to bad operation, in regard to which surgery has to acknowledge that it can offer nothing more, that they are inoperable and therefore they are regarded as incurable. Every one also knows how many cases there are which have advanced so far before coming to a competent surgeon, that they are also inoperable. Every one likewise knows that there are numerous cases of cancer in internal regions, and in certain localities, and presenting peculiar features, which are also recognized as inoperable, at least with any proper justification. Thus it may safely be said that of the total number of cases of cancer existing at any one time, which would be included under the above classes, fully 50 per cent. are such that operative surgery can offer no hope of material benefit: also, it must be acknowledged that but a relatively small proportion of all cancer cases are likely to secure the very best surgical service, such as claims the highest percentage of success. For this large number of hopeless victims of this dire disease, at least, proper dietary and medical treatment should be most carefully studied and patiently applied, with the hope and expectation that the same, if correctly employed, would more or less hinder or check its progress or prevent a recurrence after operation. But experience shows that such measures, if taken promptly and thoroughly, can also prevent the development of early threatening lesions into those of malignant character, suggesting surgical removal, and these should never be neglected when there is the slightest suspicion of cancer. For it must be acknowledged that the surgery of cancer is only an attempt at the physical removal of a something, which medical science and art should not have allowed to develop out of normal tissue. And in the matter of the general prophylaxis of cancer it is certainly worth while to consider and act strongly upon the facts which have been presented, especially in those individuals who have any hereditary suspicions, or who exhibit the habit of body or life which could lead to the development of cancer. The medical care of cancer, as of all diseases, naturally includes both prophylaxis and the treatment of a morbid condition which has already developed; the former of these is always considered to be of the highest importance.