In the second or ulcerative stage of the disease Had relations previously affected with Cancer Had been operated on previous to coming to the 3,321 2 years 9 months 1,015 And average lapse of time before the disease returned 47 702 6 months 728 can be The This table cannot be regarded as perfectly correct, although every care has been taken to make it as much so as possible. Statistics of disease never have been, and never quite accurate. This much I may, however, say, it is the only table on a comprehensive scale that has ever been attempted. difficulty that can never be got over is that, for various reasons, the surgeon loses sight of a number of patients after a few weeks or months' treatment. It will be observed that no less than 2,427 discontinued attendance, from residing at too great a distance, or were unable to attend from some other reason. Many of these cases, doubtless, are dead; many perhaps might have been cured or greatly relieved. Although these statistics show 1,563 cases relieved and 582 cured out of 5,579 out-patients, it must not be forgotten that the average duration of the disease previous to coming to the hospital is nearly three years, so long a period indeed, that all hope of cure has long since been removed in the majority, and even arrest rendered highly improbable in many. Thus it will at once be seen that the cured and relieved would bear a far higher ratio, if compared with the number of recent cases treated, say that had not existed more than one year; still higher if six months. Nor in considering the number of deaths known to have occurred amongst the out-patients, viz., 463 and 243 out of 1,867 in-door patients, must this fact be forgotten, and also that many poor creatures are brought in a dying condition. It is not my practice to operate in cancer, unless all other available means have failed; and it is, therefore, most gratifying to find, that of the whole number operated on, none have suffered any ill effects, and 131 have been discharged cured; so far as time can show, an ample proof, I think, that the knife has not been injudiciously employed. B |