Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-06-27
TIE GERM-THE0RY OF DISEASE.
interesting Experiments by n German
scientist.


scientist.
The germ-theory of disease has re
Gently received most interesting and
demonstrative contribution from an en-
inent German scientist The commu-
nication of his experimental lnyestga-
tions and the conclusion he has reached
are singularly and strongly confirmed
by Helmholtz, on the continent, and
Tyndal, in England. The researches
which are so decisive were made by
Professor Binz, of Bonn, with power.
full microscopic apparatus, and extend
over period of several years.
Being victim to the distressing NAL
adv, hay fever-so prevalent in May
and June in this country-the Bonn in
vestigator suspected from the seasonal
prevalence of the disease, that 1t was
traceable to the vegetable organisms.
Having armed himself with the power
full immersion lens Of a Hartnack NIL
croscope, he subjected the nasal secre-
tions to analysis. In examining the
seeretions he uniformly found organism
wholly absent, except when suffering
with the disease in the spring. When
laid on the warm stage of the micro
scope these organic or parasitical bodies
were distinctly seen in motion, vlbrat-
ing backwards and forwards in life, and,
after several days, had evidently IN
creased in size. They adhere tenaciously
to the lower cavities Of the nose, and
can be discharged only by violent
sneezing, But the most beautiful part
of the research was in the discovery OF
the eremedy for their presence in the hu,
man system. On preparing a neutral
solution of sulphate of quinine, free
from adulteration by circhonia, and ap'
plying this to the nostrils with a PIP,
cite or simple nose douche, the desired
effect was immediately secured. The
poisonous action of quinine on infusorla
was perfectly brought out, the symp-
toms of irritation completely dlsap'
peared, and the lens revealed the entire
absence of animalculain the subsequent
secretions. The results agree with
those arrived at in 1870 by DR.. trlck'
hofer, of Schwalbach, and Professor
Busch, of Bonn, both of whom, with
Helmholtz, the great physiologist, have
successfully applied quinine for thecnrt
of this parasitical malady. ,.
These highly interesting and beautl'
full inquiries in medical science, besides
establishing the great value OF qmInlne,
and providing remedy for a disease
which is extremely distressing, will
rive an impetus to an investigation
which is one of the most promising II
modern Therapeutics. A distinguished
leader of medical thought i'll New York
in public address, recently SAID, i
here was zone direction III which pro
gress is now so marked as to constitute
a dominant feature of the present state
Of medicine, and to embrace new med
ical idea, it is the origin and propagaa
ton of disease by independent organ.
germs" No late physiological lnVestl
cation has been so promlslngly pushed
and none has offered so many INES o
solution for the mysterious epidemic,
which, from time immemora, have al
hicted man and beast -,
> The atmosphere is loaded with matte
which. however invisible to the nake'
eve needs only to h9 sifted in stron
. beam of artificial light to reveal count
, lrss particles, each of which may attor
! | a indus for poisonous intusorla' WI
greater perfection in optical apparatus
: this fact will doubtless yet be mad
. more startlingly apparent. But, what
. ever science can unmask, however alarm
q ing it may be, the progress of all rem
= edial and curative processes can onl
be advanced by such unstinted analysis
! Eminent physicians and original il il
:, vastigators, as NJ. Pasteur Of tn
g French academy of science, Professcc
g Lister, of Elinburgh, and others, l
= til cir long-continued and exhaustive e.
) neriments, reached conclusions harm'
I mons with those of Helmholtz an
Tvndall. While it will always be trr
,, fiat doctors will differ, this diiferen'
g does not impair the enormous prach!c
- utility of such researches. The SAINT
n n nv and medical issues they involve a
y so manifold and momentous that
,s would be grand step in the right q
10 10 rection if a number of eminent micr
u scopists and physicists, well provide
~ with means. could combine their SIX
y for final solution of the precise pro
" lon, on which so much depends.