Cancers.—­Cancers should be operated on early.  A sore on the womb, lip or tongue, or lump on the breast that continues for a little time without getting better, is dangerous.  It may soon spread in the surrounding tissue and general system.  Operations on the womb and breast, performed in time, are very successful.  Such tumors or sores should not be neglected.  A lump in the breast should be examined early.  The womb should be examined if there is a discharge from the vagina that continues.  In such a case the family doctor can determine what should be done.  A sore on the lip, tongue, face, etc., that continues and refuses to heal should cause suspicion and be shown to a physician.

Pleurisy.—­“Water in the chest” sometimes follows pleurisy.  This, if not absorbed, must be drawn off and is quite easily done.  After some cases of pneumonia the lung does not clear up properly and pus forms in it.  An operation is sometimes necessary to evacuate it.  This should be performed before the patient becomes very much exhausted.  Some people allow it to continue too long and thus lessen the chances of recovery when an operation is at last performed.

Squint.—­There is no need for any person being cross-eyed if attention is early given to the trouble.  Sometimes properly fitted glasses will correct this trouble, but an operation is often necessary and is very successful and not serious or painful.

[Operations 665]

Tracheotomy and intubation.—­The operation of tracheotomy, opening of the wind-pipe, is performed where there is choking from a foreign body in the wind-pipe or when it has become suddenly closed in diseases such as croup and diphtheria.  It is always an emergency operation and is only resorted to when it is evident that unless severe measures are taken the patient will choke to death.  Intubation is more frequently practised in disease when the breathing has become difficult owing to the growth of membrane in the larynx.  A tube of the proper size is placed in the wind-pipe and allowed to remain there until the disease has lost its force and the membrane no longer obstructs the air passage.  This tube allows the patient to breathe freely as it furnishes an opening for the air and an attendant notices the change immediately.  Intubation should be performed before the patient has become weak.

Tonsils.—­A person who is subject to enlarged tonsils should watch them carefully.  If they contain pus for any length of time they should be removed, for they not only obstruct the breathing, but are a menace to the health.  Enucleation is usually the best method of removal.  Enucleation means the operation of extracting a tumor in entirety after opening its sac, but without further cutting.  Removal of the tonsils is a simple operation, usually not requiring the use of anesthetics and most physicians advise the removal of an enlarged or troublesome tonsil.