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CHAPTER I.

THE FIVE ORDERS OF CANCER.

ORDER I.-SCIRRHUS AND ITS VARIETIES.

I SHALL now proceed and inquire into the peculiarities and distinctive features each order presents, the first being scirrhus or hard cancer, the varieties of which are as follows:

Varieties.-1. Ligneous Scirrhus, globular.

These are the seven decided varieties presented, and we shall find each possessing some

thing innately its own, yet all having appearances in common.

1. Ligneous Scirrhus Globular is the type of this order; the term was first given it by M. Velpeau, the distinguished French surgeon, who considered it to possess the hard and resisting feel of wood. Making these comparisons is the only way an idea of this kind can be conveyed from one person to another. At the same time it is attended with great difficulty, for in nature there are no two things alike. However, it being the only means, we must use it and convey the best notion we can. I cannot think that M. Velpeau has selected in wood a substance that gives the best idea of "ligneous cancer." Wood cannot, without great labour, be cut with a knife, except with the grain, and in this case is split rather than cut. "Ligneous scirrhus" can be easily cut in any direction, and will not split; it feels like solid India-rubber, and in appearance, when cut, resembles a stringy turnip more than anything else, but is elastic, and from the surfaces a thick cream-like juice (cancer juice) exudes. Of the seven varieties of scirrhus it will be observed, that five are of the ligneous or harder kind, two only being of a softer nature, forming the link between scirrhus and medullary cancer.

Ligneous scirrhus globular is generally first discovered by accident. In one case a lady,