Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-05-19
How Consumption MAY be Prevented

Professor Tyndall sends to the London
Times letter giving the summary of
lecture recently delivered in Berlin by DR..
Koch, showing the results of his research
es to prove that tubercular consumption is
caused by parasite. In giving an ac-
count of Koch's experiments, he says:
'Of six guinea pigs, all in good health,
four we're inoculated with bacilli, derived
originally from human lung, which in
ffty-four days had produced five successive
generations. Two of the six animals were
not infected. In every one of the infected
cases the guinea-pig sickened and lost flesh.
After thirty two days one of them died,
and after thirty-fve days the remaining
FIVE were killed and examined. In the
guinea-pig that died, and in the three re-
naming infected ones, strongly pronounce
ed tubercular disease had set in. Spleen,
liver, and lungs we're found filled with tu-
bercles; while in the two unaffected ami
mails no trace Of the disease was observed.
In second experiment, six cut of eight
guinea-pigs were inoculated with cultiva-
ted bacilli, derived originally from the tu-
berculous lung of monkey, bred and re-
bred for ninety-fye days. until eight gene
rations had been produced. Every one of
these animals was attacked, while the two
unaffected guinea pigs remained perfectly
healthy. Similar experiments were made
with cats, rabbits, rats, mice, and other
animals, and without exception, it was
found that the Injection of the parasite in
to animal system was followed by decided
and, In most cases, virulent tubercular
disease.
s'In the cases thus far mentioned inocu-
lation ha d been effected in the abdomen.
The place of incubation was afterwards
changed to the aqueous humor Of the eye
Three rabbits received each a spec of ba-
cillus-cuIture, derived originally from a
human lung affected with pneumonia
Eighty nine days had been devoted to the
culture of the organism. The infected
rabbits rapidly lost flesh, and after twenty
five days we're killed and examined. The
lungs of every one of them were found
charged with tubercles. Of three other
rabbits, one received an injection Of pure
blood-serum in The aqueous humor of the
eye, while the other two were infected, in
4 similar way, with the same serum, con-
tanning bacilli derived originally from
diseased lung and subjected to ninety-one
days. cultivation. After twenty eight
days the rabbits were killed. The one
which had received an injection Of pure
serum was found perfectly healthy, while
the lungs of the two others were found
overspread with tubsrcles.
''Othsr experiments are recorded in this
admirable essay, from:which the weight
est practical conclusions may be drawn
Koch determines the limits of tsmpsra-
ture between which the tubercle- bacillus
can develop and multiply. The minimum
and the maximum 1910. He concludes
that, unlike thu bacillus anthracis of sple-
mic fever, which can flourish freely outside
the animal body, in the temperate zone
animal warmth is necessary for the propa-
cation of the newly Dissolved organism
In vast number of cases Koch has exam
ined the matter expectorated from the
lungs of persons affected with phthisis
and found in it swarms of baccilli, while
in matter expectorated from the lungs of
persons not thus afflicted he has never
found the organism. The expectorated
matter in the former cases was highly in
fective, nor did drying destroy its viru-
lence. Guinea-plgs infected with expecto-
rated matter which had been kept dry for
two, four and eight weeks respectively,
we're smittsn with tubercular disease quite
IS virulent as that produced by fresh ex-
Koch points to the grave
LANCER of inhaling air in which particles
If the dried sputa of consumptive patients
ningles with dust of other kinds.''
The London Medical Neaos says of the
possible results of this discovery.
eff Pasteur's culture experiments have
ed to the discovery Of a method by who
The poison of splenic fever is rendered
harmless, and the disease prevented by
The timely incubation of the modified vi
us, may We not hope that the time is not
Instant when the ravages of consumption
will be pre- vented by the incubation of
modified bacillus? The medical profess
ZION of the whole civilized world will now
await with the keenest interest the devel-
'pments which may be expected from
.urther study of the bacillus tuhsrculo-
U.s."
OUR good deeds rarely cause much COS
Zip among our fellow-citizens, but eur evil
'nes leap Immediately into notoriety,