Radium, its physics & therapeutics / by Dawson Turner.

Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Radium, its physics & therapeutics / by Dawson Turner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    munity thus induced may have its value in increasing the resistance of the body when once a process of cicatrization of a malignant growth has been set up in the human tissues by treatment with radium. “ Turning to radio-therapy, we can immediately accept radium as curative in rodent ulcer, with this reservation, that the permanence of cure must be certified by a longer period of time than has yet elapsed in most of the cases treated. If we scrutinize the results of treating growths which are undoubtedly malignant, as shown by progressive local invasion and by secondary formations in lymphatic glands or other parts, we find much that is promising, but little that is conclusive. A profound impression is pro- duced in many instances ; malignant tumours of large extent and depth may disappear or much diminish. But the improvement and the apparent recovery is apt to be deceptive, and the subsequent return of the growth, which progresses to the death of the patient, appears to be a not infrequent experience. If a patient is the subject of an inoperable tumour, we are grateful for the benefit radium may give in the relief of pain, in the cessation of discharge, in the cicatrization of an open sore, and we should rejoice if cure seems probable. But when called upon to treat patients with operable malignant growths, are we justified in advancing radium as a substitute for excision? Personally I would not at present take this responsibility.”