We have seen that, as shown by the kidney excretion and the condition of the blood, the metabolism is deranged, both in the early and late stages of cancer. We have seen that the nitrogenous and sulphur partition is materially different from that of health, and reason indicates that in some way protein, or rather its metabolism, is at fault. We have seen that there is a deficiency in the urinary secretion, not only as to the actual quantity, but also that the total urinary solids are commonly far below the normal, often not half the amount required for the body weight of the individual. We have seen that the intestinal excretion is commonly imperfect and that constipation is the rule in these cases, even long before the administration of anodynes. The secretion from the skin is also generally defective, and the tissues dry and harsh, and the saliva is generally acid.
All these, and perhaps other, elements point to a faulty performance of the bodily functions, and to erroneous or deficient elaboration and elimination of the waste products of the body; these latter are known to be toxic to animals, and we know that in the human system they lead to an auto-intoxication and derangement of the blood stream, which in turn causes faulty cell and tissue action. Such a condition is recognized in gout, as causing the local inflammatory manifestations, and in rheumatism, which is so common in cancer subjects. All recognize that obesity is due to some nutritive change, naturally acting through the blood, and it is well known that cancer is peculiarly rebellious in those subject to obesity. Diabetes likewise relates to a peculiar blood condition, and there have been many observations concerning the relation of diabetes to cancer. All these diseases and many more have their foundation in faulty nutrition, depending largely on dietary errors.
We see, then, that to understand and rightly treat the systemic condition belonging to cancer, which is indeed its basic factor, one needs to take a very broad view of the complex processes in the human system which pertain to metabolism and nutrition. This is indeed quite a different proposition from the very simple surgical view which regards the tumor as a local matter, of absolutely unknown origin, which only needs the knife to end its career. Deranged, disturbed, perverted nutrition is then the bottom fact of all erroneous growth, whether it be obesity or a benign or malignant tumor.