Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-07-18
THE CHOLERA GERM.
More About DR.. Koeh.s Recent Re-
msrkabIe Discoveries.

I Z
| markabIe Discoveries.
/ A Calcutta letter says There is
good reason to believe that the visit
to Calcutta of the German cholera
commission (Which consists of Drs.
Koch, Fischer, and Gaffky) has been
fruitful of very important discov-
cry. The investigations made by the
commission in Egypt last year had
| already indicated the existence in all
true cases of cholera of peculiar
microscopic parasite, or baceillus, as
it is termed in medical language. In
all cases which came under their ex-
animation, DR.. Koch and his col
leagues observed these parasites in
great number, beth in the intestines
OF persons who had died of cholera
and in the dejecta of cholera patients
The same parasites were uniformly
found in all cholera cases examined
in India. Moreover, although looked
for with minuteness and care, no par
asite corresponding to them could be
found in connection with other dis
eases, such as dysentery and diarrhma,
which have some resemblance to
cholera. The fact, therefore, of
close relation between the parasite
and the disease of cholera would seem
to be placed beyond doubt The CO.
incidence would not in itself, how.
ever, as is obvious, warrant us in re-
garding the parasite a, the cause of
the malady, for, as DR.. Koch l. him
self willing to allow, it may be the
consequence.
From further discovery made by
the commission ia Calcutta there is
no reason to believe that the relation
of the parasite to the disease is one of
cause; in short that the parasite is
the long-soughtfor cholera germ
While the commission was in Cal
cutta sporadic outbreak of cholera
OF great intensity occurred in the
native quarter of the town, in the
neighborhood of dirty tank or pond
DIR. Koch and his colleagues discov-
cred to their joy that ii swarmed with
the parasite which they had hitherto
failed to find outside the human sub
ject The water had been used, ac-
cordlng to Indian habits, both for
drinking and bathing purposes by the
people among whom the outbreak
had occurred It was further OBJ
served that as the outbreak had sub
sided coincidently the water became
clear of the parasite. Here was a
great step in furtherance of the in
quiry as to the etiolosy of cholera.
Another step, and the artificial propa-
CATION of the disease by means of the
no fIrl1 II hoo
the commission could have reported
to Prince Bismarck the completion of
one Of the most important discover
les ever made in medical science.
But the last link completing the chain
of evidence has vet to be forged. All
the attempts of DR. Koch and his col
leagues to artlticially propagate chol-
era by means OF the parasite, whether
found in the water or in the human
subject, have been without success.
Many experiments have been made
with view to reproduce the disease
by inoculation in animals, but all
have failed. Matter containing the
parasite has been mingled with the
food of mice, cats, and dogs, but their
health has apparently not been dis
turbed. The argument from analogy
meanwhile goes strongly to show that
in the parasite which pair of Ger
man spectacles has revealed the chol-
era germ has at length yielded up the
dark mystery of existence. To DIR.
Koch it fell some years ago to discov
er the parasite, or bacillus, which
causes the disease of splenic fever in
animals, and later to make the still
more important discovery that tubercle
or consumption was also caused by
bacillus peculiar to it. Other investi-
cations have further traced to para
site the malady among fowls known
as chicken cholera. while there is
strong reason to belive that the ma
laria associated with the Roman cam
pagna is also a parasite origin. These
cogr ate cases lead to the belief that
the true exciting cause of cholera has
been found III the parasite discovered
by the commission.
AS the rave StIgation on which the
commission is engaged is of kind
that can not b" favorably prosecuted
in India duri.:g the hot season, DR..
Koch and his colleagues shortly re-
turn to Germany. Lut hope to be able
to persuade the German government
to allow them 10 return to India next
winter to continue the inquiries
which have had SO fruitful result
hitherto.