Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-26
MCRoBIC INCUBATION.
Leading Physicians on DR.. Ferran's TX,
periments.
From the Fsso York Herald.


the prevention of cholera and the cable
dispatches to the Herald published with
in the last few days have excited marked
attention and controversy in medical cir
Giles. and have largely stimulated contro-
versv and inquiry. The opinion of the
leading physicians of the city who have
made choleraic diseases a speciality has
been sought by reporters of the Herald.
and interviews have been had with sew
eral Of these professional gentlemen.
AS 10 microbic incubation as a pre-
seryative against cholera there is almost
a unanimous opinion among physicians
that it is far too early for any deliberate
and final judgment to be arrived at, and
that the stage of experiment in which Dr..
Fprrsn's remedy is now in should be ex-
tended for a much longer period before the
Judgment of the medical world is finally
pronounced upon it.
ON the other question on which their
ppiniOn was sought-as to the desirability
If the United States Government initiating
that of France and of England, and inves-
tigatiug the present condition OF the cpl
demic at Valencia and reporting on DR..
Ferran's discoveries and the chances of
preventing chOleIa epidemies in future by
a general use Of his system OF incubation
there was a divided judgment, some be-
Neying that such course would be wise,
others regarding it as unnecessary on the
ground that the same result would be
brought about by the action of medical
and scientific societies.
THE REMEDY IMPORTED.
DR.. Wendt, who is writing a book on
cholera and who has made the rem edles of
DR.. Ferran and the theories of DR.. Koch a
special study, said:
Il have been in regular correspondence
with DR.. Koch and others interested in
this question and (smiling) have gone
even 50 far as to import some Of the comma
bacillus. The conclusion that l have ar
rived at, however, after all my CORE
spOndence and study, is that this mi
cr0bfc incubation is in an experimental
stage and that the area over which DR..
Ferran's experiments have been applied
is lar too limited for the profession TO come
20 any practical conclusion In regard 10
its efficacy. We must know far more than
we know now before any practical benefit
can be derived from the discovery. In
addition to all this, there is the prior
question as to whether cholera, as we I'M
derstand it. is in Valencia. From the evil
dence now before US we can only say that
it is much better 10 urgently press upon
the authorities of cities the enforcement
Of sanitary measures which are known to
be successful in excluding cholera than
TO luA the pOpulace into sense Of secu-
rity by spreading the belief that inOcula-
ton will protect any individual from an
attack Of the disease"
A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION.
DR.. Janeway said: Il have not paid a
very marked attention to this subject. l
know that medical men all over the cOun-
= l.. IN, = -
diseases are studying the question. My
own belief from all | know and hear is,
that DR.. Ferran may be regarded AS an
eXperimenter, and that the present phase
of the results already attained leads to
the conclusion that tue discOverer and the
profession must consider the whole sub
Jet as in an experimental condition. In
such a state OF things no physician can
give an opinion that can be to the general
public of very much use.
As to the deslraOlllty OF the govern
ment sending commission of investiga-
ton and inquiry TO Valencia, l am not
prepared TO express any opinion. | d.
think, however, that the United States
Minister at Madrid or the Consul might
be authorized 20 appoint some medical
man in WHOM the public would have con-
1dence 10 investigate this microbic lnocu-
latiOn and report on the results. If that
report were submitted either TO one OF the
national societies Of medicine or to sew
eral eminent physicians 20 examine and
their judgment taken as to the best course
% be adopted. this country might derive
great benefit and We should have basis
fox pursuing our Investigations and eX-
periments that Ve have not now.
We must not forget that we have no
absolute knowledge that the people who
nave been iuoculated were in danger OF
Asalc cholera. The area upon which
The experiment has been made seems to
me to be too limited for hnal opinion TO
be reached
Dr. j. Il. Douglas said: II do not think
that there is enough known OF microbic
incubation for any opinion whatever to
be formed as TO its availability for a pro-
lection IN a cholera epidemic. 1 think that
the government would be acting very
wisely in sending out a medical commits
Sion to Valencia TO make all needful in
Yesugation and report thereon
EUROPEAN SCIENTISTS ALERT.
A physician Of eminence in the city. but
WHO would not allow MS name to be men
TONED. said Il DO not think taat there
e any need Of a government commission.
That which q commission from hts c0un-
try would do will certainly beas we'll done.
and probably better, by national societies
Of science and medicine IN Europe. France
and Germany are too greatly Interested in
this question not TO semi one or two rep
fesentative men from each country to in
vestigate. Their report will be known to
the world, and will be valuable and ex-
aadstive enough To enable Us TO form a
Judgment as 20 the probable value Of
d. Ferran's discovery. Therefore / would
suggest waiting until that has been ac-
complished.
4 do not attach much importance To
lAe iaet chat 5000 persons who have been
lnoculated did not take cholera. and that
some few who were not iuoculated did
.tA1 10. We must RENE Der that until a
lew days ago all Europe was In compare
I'VE winter; It has been cold everyw here.
4l Until We are In the heat Of summer,
anu tlen see Is these in0cuated persons
1tAe noiera should itappear then in their
ulsltlcl. ] d0 not say that there is not
any tning OF practical value in Dr. Fer
.lu discovery; / thiak it is very likely
mere may be-; but what DO say IL, that
~" knowledge 90 present ia relation
~ lls effect is very limited, and that
j.. would De well 10 await further develop