Human Diseases

Cancer

A tumor is the unrestricted growth of cells in a tissue of the body.   Normal cells die and are replaced so that the exact number of cells in a tissue is maintained.   A benign tumor is unrestricted cell growth that is outside the normal tissue. and does not seriously restrict tissue function.   A malignant tumor, called a cancer, invades the tissue and leaves it nonfunctional.   Cancers spread in the body by breaking away from the parent tissue and enter the lymphatics where most are trapped and killed.   However, some will live and grow there too, causing the lymphatics to become cancerous.   This is called a secondary growth.   Cancers are caused by chemicals in the environment, nuclear radiation, viruses, etc.   Treatment of cancers is most effective when the cancer is found while it is still small.   This makes early diagnosis with medical equipment, such as blood tests, biopsies, and CAT scans critical to saving lives.   Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, inteferon (a protein produced in the body.), and combinations of these treatments. ^{How 414-417}

Cholera

Glaucoma

An eye disease wherein the fluid produced by the ciliary body is unable to escape.   Consequently, the fluid pressure increases to a point where it reduces the blood supply to the optic nerve, which then atrophies, causing reduced vision and blindness.   If discovered and treated in its early stage, the prognosis is usually complete recovery; otherwise, vision is impaired.   If untreated too long, blindness results.

Heart Disease

Malaria

Scurvy

Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C.   Its symptoms are swollen and bleeding gums, livid skin spots, prostration, etc.   It was long associated with people living on a monotononous diet of foods that would not spoil at a time when canning and refrigeration were unknown.   It was prevalent with sailors, prisoners, people in besieged towns, and explorers.

Typhoid Fever

Typhus

Yellow Fever