ABSTRACT
The cells of a normal adult divide no more than are necessary for the replacement and repair of the tissues. When there is local overgrowth the resulting structure is called a tumour. Researches on cancer fall into two categories, those directed to ascertain its cause, and hence its method of prevention, and those which study its behaviour and the methods of curing or alleviating it. As cancer are far commoner in civilized than in savage communities, it has been attributed by various authors to most of the conditions peculiar to civilized life. When people turn to the study of the cancer cell and its habits, our most practically valuable knowledge is as to its appearance under the microscope. As to the more intimate nature of the cancer cell, people know but little. Our most important information as to the differences between it and the ordinary cell has come in the last few months from the laboratory of Warburg in Berlin.
