Extract from an article in the Bi-Monthly Bulletin of the 
University College of Medicine. 
Case of Tuberculosis Cured by Cancrum 
Oris. 
By HUNTER McGUIRE, M. D., LL. D„ 
Professor of Clinical Surgery, University College of Medicine, 
Richmond, Va. 
Miss P., of Abingdon, Va., was brought to my private 
hospital, November 9th, 1895. She had a hacking 
cough, enlargement of the glands of the neck, and 
consolidation of the apex of one lung. I diagnosed 
phthisis pulmonalis, prescribed constitutional remedies, 
and advised her being taken to some more suitable 
climate for the winter. 
Before she could make arrangements to leave the hos- 
pital she had a severe chill, followed by high fever and 
a very sore throat. In a few days she developed a typical 
case of noma, or cancrum oris. The disease attacked the 
left cheek and when the slough separated, an opening was 
left as large as a silver dollar, exposing the teeth and 
rendering feeding difficult. There was high fever, ty- 
phoidal delirium and great prostration. 
The wound was cauterized and disinfected, and heroic 
measures used to feed and stimulate the patient, but the 
symptoms grew worse and little hope of recovery was 
given to the relatives. 
Finally, as a last resort, I began the use of Protonuclein, 
giving the tablets internally and dusting the powder on 
the wound. An immediate improvement followed, and 
after a long and trying convalescence the patient was able 
to return home. 
A year later she returned to the hospital to have a 
plastic operation done to lessen the deformity of the scar, 
and when she first entered my office I scarcely recognized 
the healthy, vigorous woman as my former tuberculous 
patient. The enlarged cervical glands had disappeared, 
her lungs were clear, her cough was gone. She had been 
cured of tuberculosis by the attack of cancrum oris. I 
have no explanation to offer for the result, but trust the 
clinical fact may prove of interest to the pathologist.