The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-30
coNsUNPyoN--DR cHURcHlLIs DLscoVERlEs
From Galignani's Messcngcr.l

An interesting paper the successful treatment Of
this dreadful affection and the allied diseases of scoua
tabes mesenerica, &C., by the hypophosphtes Of lime
and Soda has just been presented to the Academy Of Sci
cnccs by DIR. j. +. Churchill 1t has long been known
that among the inorganic mineral substances which
enter into the composition of the body phosphorus to
be met with in considerable quantities, but chemists and
psychologists yet unable to decide whether IT is
found only phosphoric acid that is in state Of COM
pete oxidation and such longer liable to be burnt
by the oxygen Of the atmosphere las for instance in
the mineral matter Of bones) whether it also exists in
lower state of oxidation, and such capable Of keep
ing up the slow combustion which constitutes of the
principal phenomena Of life Opinions upon this point
very nearly balanced the celebrated Iebig for in
stance, stating that 1t is impossible to decide the question
in the present state of chemical analysis, while his chief
disciple in England, the late Dr. Gregory, professor Of
chemistry at Edinburgh declares that it is absurd to sup
pose that phosphorus exist in the animal frame in
any other condition than as phosphoric acid, Dr.
Churchill, by series Of scientific deductions which it
would be foreign to our purpose to examine, came in
1855 to the conclusion that not only it necessary
to admit that phosphorus existed in the body in an
oxydzable combustble condition, but likewise that
the proximate cause, or at least an indispensable
condition to the existence OF consumption tnbcrcno
Sis the undue waste the deficient supply OF this
principle Hence he drew the obvious inference that the
of curing the disease consisted in the restoring Of
the deficient elements For this purpose it was neccs
sary to select some compound of phosphorus, which
should be at the same time oxydzablc and assimable.
that is capable of entering into and forming part of the
system These conditions found to exist in the by
pophosphites aforementioned. Dr. Churchs views
first made known last July in paper presented to
the Academy of Medicine, and subsequently imboded in
work on consumption which appeared in October.
Since them the author has continued and extended his
researches and his recent communication to the Acad
envy Of Sciences is founded the observation of forty
He administers the hypophosphites Of lime
of soda in small quantity Of sweetened water, in
doses varying from five to twenty grains daily according
to the constitution Of the patient and the nature OF the
The of consumption in the second and third
stages tat a period, consequently, when there can
be no uncertainty as to the nature of the disease
can be obtained In all cases by this treatment ex
cept when the existing lesion of the lungs is Of IT.
self sufficient to produce DEATH Contrary to the
opinion generally received, the third stage OF con
sumption ia, all other circumstances being equal
amenable to treatment than the second Hereda
ny prespcsi in way to countcract tho effect
of the hypophosphtes, patients in whom 1t was most
strongly marked recovering rapidly others The
paper has been referred by the Academy to committee
consisting Of Dr. serres Andral and Claude Bernard
and it is highly desirable that these gentlemen should
lose little time possible In verifying whether and
how far DR.. Churchill views founded in truth more
particularly the author states that the remedy dscoy
cred by him has not only curative effect but WILL II
used wherever there exists suspicion Of the disease
vent Its development and thus act eservatye with
regard to consumption, just vaccination does with
gard to smallpox It y already extensively used through
out tho whole Of the continent and favorable results have
been already obtained In France Germany Italy, and
Spain, we'll at st. Petenburgh and Constantnople
We may also state that In c0nRequcnce Of DR. Churchill
discovery the manufacture Of tho bypophosphcs in la's
has already attained considerable degree OF importance
whereas before they applied to no use and were
only to be found chemical specimens in the laboratory
These facts alone DR.. Churchill contends at least
presumption that the remedy is found to be of benefit
Should any Of medical readers feel inclined to inycsti-
gate the subject we may state that Dr. Churchill has
abiishcd public dspcnssry Mt No. Rue Iarrey near
the Ecolc de Medicine, whore he lectures every Friday at