New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-11
THE GERM THEORY.

to the presence in the body oil mOrpihC Bo''"''
the broad application of his theories he goes
than Koch or Pasteur, whose experiments on 0"c''"
were recently described in HE Tribune ioi
the destruction of these germs and the cure theeoS
of disease. DR.. Declat believes he has found
specific in chemically pure carbohc acid,
known as picnic acid DR.. Declat was one oil
the earliest to prove in practice the useful
ness of carboc acid. although 1t is stated that
Lemaire was the first to detect ITS value and Lister
was the first TO make the practical application OF
the discovery known a the profession and the
puulic. Dr. Declat who is a visit to this cOpil-
try. recently expoundcd his theories of disease
germs and presented the claims OF his specific
phenlc acid-to an audience of Chicago physicians
who manifested considerable interest. Last
autumn Dr. DecIat visited this city, and since
then as well as before, several surgeons nave care
fully tested the value of picnic acid with results
which do not bear out DR.. Declats sweeping
claims
HOW DIR. DEcLAT EXPLAINS HIS THEORIES
The doctor. who is at present in this city, said
recently to "A TRIBUNE reporter, in speaking OF MS
antiseptlc method:
"These rapidly reproducing germs which are
living creatures, act malignant iermeht Ill ING
body, and investi cations prove that diseases are
caused by the presence OF these germs III Dioou
which is favorable tor their development Inc
practical thing, then is to find germclde, one that
shall destroy these germs without nJutng the bioou
globues or proving fatal to the patient. An anu
septic which have long been engaged upon Is car
boic acid, of which rs an antiseptic made use
twenty years ago. But carbolc acid IS contain
mated with cresglic acid which renders il danger
Gus. 1t can be made chemically pure, however,
and is then known as picnic acid, ami can be taken
internally or by hypodelnic injections III Is kepS
pure By Incorporating II win various syrups
use glycO- phenIque externally, phenate damlnohla
hlgn fcyers, suphO-pL enIque III catafIh 9iseaSoS
of the skin, rheumatism, etc, ana opnenlque III
the reduction OF tumOrs and cancers IL has oeeh
OBJECTED that much phenc acld must DC useu 10
to cndanger the life of the patent. 10 TINS lcpS
that there is constant enOft suiio loI .n0
elimination OF POISONOUS matter going on III lle
body, and therefore the picnic acid hnds ltseI
assisted, and II small quantity IN conjunction WIN
lie natural forces of the BODY Will do the WORK
And while this Is theoretical can give the prac-
teal answer that the remedy has been tileu ana
found cilectuaL."
Dr. Declat called attention to the Bailetin de
H1cdoenic Irdnc0iSe for November -, Ie'o' III
which NJ. Pasteur reported a case of the successful
use Of picnic acid.
VIEWS OF WELL BNOwN PHYSICIANS
The views of several leading physicians and sur
geons were obtained regard to DR.. Declats
claims for his system OF antlseptlc medication
Several surgeons have made careful tests OF DR..
Decats remedies in order to determine how far
these answer what has been claimed. Among these
surgeons are Dr. Ii. b. Sands and DR.. Robert 4.
Weir. Dr. Sands said
"Carboic acid has been used for a long time, and
nobody doubts its excellence III external appilca-
tlOns and IN some branches OF surgery III mas peel
injected in Germany III cases OF erysipelas. But
while its is not new. claims IKE thOse OF III;
Heclat have never before been made. have used
his preparations of picnic acId internally and IN
injections with negative results-tbat Is TO say
with no results whatever We use ordinarily Val
yeIs carbOlic acid, the purity OF which consider
satisfactory. | have doubts about the poisonous
cresVlIc acid which. Dr. Declat claims, exists IN
carbolic acid and 1t seems 10 me absurd to claim
that carbOc acid can only be used when prepared
IN his special way No doubt, however he manu-
features a very pure form. o sum up IN regard TO
his theories treatment and remedies 1 VIII say
ths Dr. Declats claims are altogether eXtrava-
CANT and unwarranted. We have no evidence to
show that the results he promises can be accom-,
plished. and my own experience has MOI prodnceo
favorable results. At recent meeting OF the New
ork Surgical Society, Dr. Yale read report on
the use of picnic acid in Bellevue which was
rather rose-coored, but discussion was aroused IN
which several surgeons gave strongly unlavoraDle
opinions. .
NV experience" SAID DR.. Lervy NJ. Yale, "has
not been large in the use of DR.. Declats method.
have known a number of cases III which 1t did seem
TO do good l have known more cases in which It's
effect was not evident. There 10 nothing new, OF
course, in the claim Of killing disease germs with
ca borc acid, and the weak place III the Declat
method is the commercial aspect in which 1t pre-
sents itself My experience in lis use has been con-
fined 70 go-called septic fevers with high
have never seen any reason for try
Ing The treatment on tumors j might add that
do not believe that it is III any SENSE the panacea
which Dr. Declat makes out, but IN cases wnere
other ell-recOguiZcd plans OF treatment nave |
failed il il proper to give II trial have known
enough cases TO make 1t lustlhaOlc plan Oh treat
ment in cases OF emergency"
Was the paper which you recently read before |
the Surgical society in advocacy OF this treat
Inentp ,..,.o.t,, oooio4,, ,,,,,,hor
of cases treated by the Declat method IN some OF
W hich the treatment succeeded while III Others ITS
influence not marked. The paper was intended
merely as aTepOTt of cases Tor the purpose OF DTlng
ng up a discussion and TO elicit the experience
and views of my associates in the society; My
opinions then were the same that L have already
given YOU
DR. ROBERT T. wEIR's OPINION.
Dr. Robert f. Weir said In my wards at the
Bellevue and New-York Hospitals in cases OF
,ryspelas and septIcwmia, the treatment suggested
by Dr. Declat seemed at first to afford encouraging
results but a larger experience embracing test
Eases has led materially to doubt its efficacy,
specially in septicema. In respect to tumors
nave not seen the slightest favorable influence |
rom its USE and in the only III which benefit |
appeared to result, the tumor subsiding spOn- |
prior to the beginning of the treatment |
With picnic acid. | have now under my charge |
our cases of cancer in which this treatment has |
been employed without the slightest trace of |
benefit. | may say that Lamaire preceded Dr.
Deciat in the discovery of carbolc acid. and to him
y due the honor of priority. while the honor of |
making carboic acid actually known in "A practical
way il due to Lister, although d. Declat was
,ery early worker i'll this ield."
WHAT DIR. PETERS THINKS.
"Granting that the researches of Koch and |
oasteur show bdcli to be the cause of as many dis
ases as have been claimed" said DR.. John e. |
Peters, this talk about chemically pure carbolc |
cid being a specific for their destruction is simply
renash of old exploded ideas. AS matter of fact
has been proven that carbolic acid will not kill
disease germs save when used in immense quanti- |