THE ENZYME TREATMENT OF CANCER

The treatment of cancer by injection of preparations containing pancreatic enzymes, as proposed by Dr. John Beard, of Edinburgh, about four years ago, excited so much interest and comment at the outset that it is hardly necessary to recount its principles or objects. It will be remembered that the treatment was based on an embryologic hypothesis as to the part played by the pancreas in controlling cell growth (a hypothesis which, to say the least, has not been generally accepted by embryologists), and all will recall the sensational manner in which the new treatment was exploited in lay journals. To anyone acquainted with the biology of cancer cells and the properties of enzymes the entire proposition appeared unpromising, but none the less there were not a few practitioners who seemed to see good results accruing from the treatment, and some were carried to extremes of enthusiasm. Taking an unprejudiced view