An Outbreak of Cancer
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Author: Steve Hatherley
Homepage: http://www.flar.demon.co.uk/terror/welcome.htm
System: Call of Cthulhu
Type: Hook
Category: Horror
Requirements:

		   DISEASE STUMPS WELSH DOCTOR
	Doctor Robert Jones yesterday admitted failure in 
	treating the baffling disease which is affecting the 
	villagers of Hodgeston, Pembrokeshire in South Wales.
	   
	Doctor Jones describes the disease's first symptoms 
	as a number of cancerous growths protruding from the 
	skin. These can be of many different forms and 
	gradually grow worse and worse until the patient is 
	covered with the unsightly marks, and dies.
	   
	The cancers have taken on many unusual and sometimes 
	disturbing forms. Doctor Jones has reports of cases 
	where it seemed that faces were forming on stomachs 
	and backs, and rubbery tentacles appear to be quite 
	common.
	   
	So far 13 people in Hodgeston have died from the 
	disease, with twice that number known to be 
	infected. The disease has not responded to any form 
	of treatment.
	   
	The strange disease is not confined to Hodgeston and 
	Doctor Jones has patients in several of the 
	surrounding villages. The disease is confined to 
	Hodgeston and the surrounding area.

	Doctor Jones will eventually require outside help. He might 
call upon the aid of a medical school colleague of his, perhaps one 
of the investigators.

Possibilities
1       The cancers are punishments inflicted upon the population of 
Hodgeston and its surrounds by a group of active Lloigor. Their 
presence is also indicated by the abnormally high number of fatal 
'accidents' reported in the papers. Inbreeding is common and the 
local population is generally filthy and unkempt.

2       A War Office establishment is pumping waste products into the 
sea at Tenby, just along the coast. The currents are bringing this 
waste around to where Hodgeston sends its half dozen fishing smacks. 
The cancers are a direct result of eating contaminated fish.

3       Several months ago there was a report of a meteor shower above 
South Wales. However, one of the meteors did not completely burn up 
and landed in a local river. It is radioactive and contaminating the 
water supply to Hodgeston.

Copyright (c) 1990 Steve Hatherley