Closing In On Cancer

THE FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN SCIENCE were laid in the 17th century. Scientists asked "how" rathen than "why," aided by the microscope and other new instruments. Galileo's telescope and Newton's laws of gravitation advanced understanding of the physical universe, and William Harvey described the continuous circulation of the blood. With the humoral theory of disease discarded, and cancer no longer attributed to bile, researchers looked for answers elsewhere.

Cancer Surgery in the 17th Century
While techniques improved, lack of anesthesia and antiseptic conditions made surgery a risky choice. A renowned German surgeon, Fabricius Hildanus, removed enlarged lymph nodes in breast cancer operations, made amputations at the thigh, and devised a tourniquet to control bleeding. Johann Scultetus performed total mastectomies, and Marco Severinus' illustrated book on surgical pathology was a landmark in the field.

17th Century Theories on the Causes of Cancer
The old theory of disease based on bodily humors was discarded in the 17th century. Discovery by Gaspare Aselli of the vessels of the lymphatic system suggested abnormalities of lymph as the primary cause of cancer. Attention was focused on lymph nodes, which now were more frequently removed when enlarged and near the tumor site. Lymphatic drainage became the key factor in developing more extensive surgical removal of cancer.

Discovery of Circulation by Experiment
William Harvey's brilliant proof of the continuous circulation of the blood in a contained system was the 17th century's most significant achievement in medicine and physiology. Harvey's contemporary Aselli discovered the lymphatic vessels through experiments on animals, leading to a theory attributing cancer to lymph abnormalities.

The Beginnings of Medical Demography
The gathering of statistics to improve health care was the inspiration not of a doctor, but of an English tradesman and ward politician, John Graunt. He was the first to analyze data from weekly parish records of christenings, marriages and burials. The spirit of quantification pervading scientific thought helped others to see the importance of Graunt's work, and he was made a fellow of the Royal Society.

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						Cancer Surgery in the 17th Century While techniques improved, lack of anesthesia and antiseptic conditions made surgery a risky choice. A renowned German surgeon, Fabricius Hildanus, removed enlarged lymph nodes in breast cancer operations, made amputations at the thigh, and devised a tourniquet to control bleeding. Johann Scultetus performed total mastectomies, and Marco Severinus' illustrated book on surgical pathology was a landmark in the field.

		The Beginnings of Medical Demography The gathering of statistics to improve health care was the inspiration not of a doctor, but of an English tradesman and ward politician, John Graunt. He was the first to analyze data from weekly parish records of christenings, marriages and burials. The spirit of quantification pervading scientific thought helped others to see the importance of Graunt's work, and he was made a fellow of the Royal Society.

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