Arsenic is a medicine, which has, by some, been considered as a specific against cancer[140]; but even those who maintain this, add, that although they believe and think so, yet they have not been able to administer it in such quantities as to produce any good effect.
Mercury[141] has also been recommended; but there is no fact more certainly ascertained than this, that mercury uniformly exasperates this disease, especially when it has proceeded the length of ulceration. In this case, the sores enlarge rapidly, become much more painful, and bleed frequently. It is worthy of observation, that those who are affected with cancer, have in general the mercurial action induced very easily and very speedily[142]; and the changes which take place on the ulcer are equally rapid. This circumstance, of mercury increasing the disease, in so marked a manner as it usually does, ought not only to make surgeons careful of exhibiting this remedy, upon slight suspicions of the sore being venereal[143], but may likewise be attended to as a step toward the discovery of a better mode of treatment for cancer than we yet possess; because if, at any time, we discover the means of directly displacing and counteracting the mercurial action, we may perhaps find the same to be useful in abating the cancerous; these two actions appearing to possess some general coincidence, from their mutual effect in increasing each other.
Copper, in the form of cuprum vitriolatum, has been used in cancer; and one case is recorded, in which it is said to have produced a cure; but in every other case it has failed; and, from the violent effects which it is apt to produce, considerable danger attends its exhibition.
Muriated barytes has been proposed as a cure for this disease; but now none employ it with this expectation.
The same remedies which internally have been supposed to cure cancer, have also been proposed as local applications.
Amongst the older practitioners, narcotics were very currently employed as a dressing for cancerous sores. Vesalius used cloths dipped in the juice of the solanum; whilst others employed it mixed with oil of roses, and preparations of lead and antimony. Others had recourse to the hyocyamus; whilst of late the cicuta poultices seem to have superseded the use of most other narcotic preparations. These have, undoubtedly, in many cases, abated the pain, and diminished the fœtor; but this is all which can reasonably be expected from them; and even this expectation will not always be realised.
Carrot poultices are still more useful, as they possess the property of abating the fœtor, in a degree superior to the hemlock, and give generally as much ease. This fœtor has been long compared to the smell of hepar sulphuris, and lately has been supposed to arise altogether from the formation of a substance of this nature, consisting of sulphur and volatile alkali. As it has been too much the case in medicine, to overlook causes, and attend to effects, so we are not to be surprised, if we find some physicians proposing to cure cancer, by remedies which shall decompose the matter which is yielded in that disease, or destroy the effect of the morbid action, whilst the action itself is overlooked[144]. From experiments made upon the hepatized ammonia, it was found, that the oxygenated muriatic acid was the best agent for decomposing it, and destroying its smell. This fluid was, therefore, highly recommended as an application for cancerous sores; and, in many instances, it will indeed be found to correct the fœtor, which is certainly one advantage; but it never will perform a cure.
Carbonic acid has been said not only to correct the fœtor, but also, in some instances, completely to cure the disease. It was long ago proposed by M. Peyrilhe, and of late it has again been brought forward by Dr. Ewart, who has published a case in which it produced cicatrization; but although, upon his recommendation, it has been frequently employed, yet it has very seldom been of any considerable service, and I have heard of no instance in which it produced any permanent amendment. It would rather appear, that the opinion of M. de Fourcroy was the just one: “After the first applications (says he), the cancerous sore appears to assume a more favourable aspect, the sanies which flowed from it becomes whiter, thicker, and purer, and the flesh has a redder and fresher colour; but these flattering appearances are deceitful, nor do they continue long, for the sore speedily returns to its former state, and its progress goes on as before the application.” The best method of applying this, is by means of a bladder, the mouth of which is fastened round the sore, by means of adhesive plaster. The air is introduced by a pipe inserted at the other end. When first applied, the gas produces a sensation of coldness, which is soon followed by a glowing heat, and abatement of the peculiar pain of the sore. At other times, it, from the first, produces a smarting, and makes the patient rather more uneasy. This is especially the case if we use the fermenting poultice, instead of the air already extricated.
Digitalis, applied either in poultices or infusion, has been said to abate the pain, and meliorate the appearance of the sore; but, in this respect, it seems to be very much on a level with cicuta.
Tar ointment, gastric juice, absorbent powders, and many other applications, which it is unnecessary to enumerate, have been proposed; but as their utility is by no means evinced, I shall not detain the reader with any remarks upon them.