THE CONQUEST OF CANCER TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW _A List of the Contents of this Series will be found at the end of this volume_ THE CONQUEST OF CANCER BY H. W. S. WRIGHT, M.S., F.R.C.S. With an Introduction by F. G. CROOKSHANK, M.D., F.R.C.P. “_Malum immedicabile cancer._” (OVID, Met. x, 127) LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., LTD. NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. 1925 _Printed in Great Britain by F. Robinson & Co., at The Library Press, Lowestoft_ THE CONQUEST OF CANCER INTRODUCTION The phrase “Conquest of Cancer”, though perhaps emotive rather than scientific, nevertheless implies the existence of a very real and important problem. And this problem, it may be confidently affirmed, is one that will never be solved, in action, by the efforts of the medical profession _alone_. Whatever be the future, and as yet reserved, revelations of Science, and whatever the further developments of Art, cancer will not cease to exact its toll unless medical science and art obtain the intelligent co-operation of an instructed public. It is for this reason that it has been thought useful to place before the public this little book, written by a practical surgeon who has given special attention to the problems of the laboratory. The book itself, which not only states in simple language the essential points that should be comprehended by the public, but puts forward a plan for concerted action, is based upon one of a series of University Extension lectures given during the winter of 1922–23, at the Shantung Christian University, Tsinan, China, where Mr Wright is actively engaged in the Surgical Department of the School of Medicine. * * * * * The task of prefacing this essay by some words of introduction has devolved upon the present writer, not because he either has, or desires to present, any claim to speak with special authority concerning Cancer, but by reason of a close personal and professional friendship that has led him to appreciate very warmly the knowledge, the sincerity, and the disinterestedness that characterize Mr Wright’s thought and work. And he is confident that we may accept what has been said about Cancer at Shantung as an honest and candid attempt to instruct and to construct, in detachment from the pribbles and prabbles that have sometimes confused discussion nearer home.