Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-17
GERMS OF CHOLERA.
German Scientists Discussing DIR. KOch's
Investigations.

The report of the cholera conference al
Berlin, as contained in this weeks issue
of the Medical NeacS, states that there
was no dissent from the proposition that
cholera is generated by a specific infec-
tious material. 1t cannot be contained in
the blood, as is shown by the fact that in
fection never occurs from making an
autopsy, whilst with other diseases. as
splenic and relapsing fever, in which the
infectious material is found in the blood,
infection does occur. He held that the
infectious material is identical with the
cOmma-bacillus.
Prof. Vtrehow thought that the ele-
ments Of certainty are still lacking; but
since it is entirely improbable that chOl-
era is spreading the transportation of any
chemical substance, and since out of the
entire sum of the organisms which are
found in cholera only one appear to be in
any way peculiar to it, it must be appar-
ent that the probability is extraordinarily
great that this one is the peculiar organ
ism of the disease. Koch has reported that
in certain dejecta, as also in certain
specimens of the intestines of cholera pa
tients, almost pure cultures of this bacil-
lus exist; and that in the soiled linen
also, which we recognize as a dangerous
means for the transportation of the dis
ease, the growth of these bacilli was very
rapid and powerful. From this it seems
conclusive that, in a measure at least,
the doors are closed against further hy-
pOtheses. AS to whether this bacillus is
present in any other disease or under
other circumstances, we cannot yet def
nitely determine.
In reply to questions DR.. Koch answered
that he would not be in doubt a moment
in case where the symptomatology
pointed to Asiatic cholera, and micro
scopic investigation should show that
numberless bacilli were contained in the
discharges. The diagnosis of the first
cases is of great consequence, not only on
the very first introduction of cholera into
Europe, but also on the appearance of
cholera in any place, since then we may
render the first cases harmless by isOla-
ton. The bacilli are found in the dejecta
at the very beginning of the disease.
They possess neither capacity
tor resistance nor for remain
ing in a permanent form. We know
that vaccine virus remains active for
several years. That is what is meant by
permanent condition. But sOiled linen
cannot remain moist for even few weeks.
He had kept the cOmma-bacilli in a
reagent glass for six weeks, but they did
not on that account possess permanent
form. AS soon as they were dried they
died Immediately. They can stand very
low temperature and can exist apart
from the human body, and they may,
therefore, undergo a slow growth under
restricting circumstances or hold their
own tor a time without an opportunity
for injecting.
DR.. Koch was of the opinion that, as a
rule, the infectious material can only get
into the body through the digestive canal.
1t can be conveyed through the air, but
only to a very short distance, and it may
be said, as a rule, that it is not thus intro
duced.
DR.. VirchOw thought it very probable
that it was reproduced both in the soil
and in the human body. DIR. Koch had
shown at least the possibility that moist
earth may serve as basis for its growth.
There is no reason for holding to an n.y.
pOthesis of special generation change or
ripening. The possibility of the transpor-
tatiOn of the infection by rags is, in the
light of experience, infinitely small, whilst
that by apparently healthy men is very
great.
Prof. Leyden said that one attack of
cholera seemed to give a certain immu-
nifty against the second; but that this i'm
munity is not absolute. Persons have
been known to have three attacks of chol-
era in one epidemic, but it is seldom that
person is twice attacked in two epi-
denies separated by a short interval of
time.
DR.. Koch, in answer to a question by
Prof. Hirsch, said that he had found out
nothiug further regarding the period of
incubation than had already been stated
in his report.
Prof. Hirsch said that he had never
known of a period of incubation of less
than two days, and that, as rule, it was
from three to four days-neYer tive-as
he learned in 1873 on his cholera eXpedi-
tion.
Prof. Won Bergman said that it seemed
important to him that, for the prophv-
Tactic measures which must be employed,
we should be able to make use of DR..
Koch's experience as to the spread and
destruction of the infectious material. To
the answer of DIR. Koch, that this would
involve, what they wished to avoid, de-
terminate judgment as to the entire con-
ceptiOn of cholera, and that each one
should form his own opinion from what
had been said in the discussion, Prof.
Won Bergman replied that each one could
do this, but 1t was important to protect
commerce and the community. AS to
what had been said, it gives a good deal
of latitude to the physician. AS regards
the experiments on drying, he would pro-
pose that certain disinfectiOn regulations
be tried beside those which have been
already used. All possible materials
should be tried, and disinfectiOn with diff
ferent antiseptics and in different places.
At this point the discussion was closed.