The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-22


A Boston Doctors Opinion Of Ferran.
WAsHINGToN, July 2l.-Col John w. Foster
United States minister to Spain, has transmit
ted to the State Department a report made to
him by E. De Lagrange physician Of Boston,
on the cholera in Spain. and the prophylactic
anti -cholerac NEGOTIATIONS of DR.. Ferran. DR..
Lagrange accompanied the medical commission
which was recently sent to Valencia by the
Spanish government to investigate the condition
of the cholera epidemic which IS prevailing in
that province, and report on the efficiency of the
new system of incubation practiced by DR.. Fer
ran. DR.. Lagrange describes the arrival of
the commission at Aleria, a town Of
$4,000 inhabitants, in the infected
district, on May %, and tells Of the enthusiasm
of the inhabitants over DR.. Ferrans treatment
Headed by the mayor, they clamored that Dr.
Ferran remain among them and save them from
the scourge On May 81, the commission went
to Anglemassi and found genuine cholera raging
there. This settled, the Doctor adds: 'The
commission decided to spend the rest of the
afternoon in the examination Of the inhabitants
who had been inoculated by DR.. Ferran with his
anti -choleraic broth. The number of those exam
ined was quite large, and all Of them were en-
thusastic in the praises given te Dr. Ferran.
They had been inoculated in both arms.
but presented no marks or scars other
than those made by hypodermic syringe,
and almost obliterated. Some of them
stated that they had little headache and all
severe pains in the arms lasting about twenty
four hours after the incubation. One of the
most remarkable things is that no one had vom
tied or had diarrhea. while suffering from the
effect of the inoculation from the attenuated
cholera, as Dr. Ferran and his friends call it,
excepting the small children unable to speak,
who, according to the evidence Of one Of DR..
Ferrans assistants, had both. During the last
few days the number of opponents to DR. Fer
rams prophylatic incubation has great
ly increased. and l sincerely believe
that there would be but very few
adhe rents were it not because the opposition to
the present government of Spain have made po
litical capital out OF the well grounded suspen-
sion of the NEGOTIATIONS until after the termina-
ton of the investigation and report OF the scen
tific commission ordered by the Secretary of
the Interior. a suspension which has allowed DIR.
Ferran and his assistants and associates to pose
as martyrs in the cause of humanity, science
and progress. One thing. however, must be said
in favor of DR.. Ferrans incubation, and | am
sorry that 1t is the only one can say, that those
who have undergone the process feel so much
confidence in their immunity as to have lost all
fear of the disease that causes so much
terror in the generality Of the population.
In pursuance Of their studies the members of
the committee examined 12c inoculated persons.
tions the committee has come to the conclusion
that they are inoffensive, and recommends to
the government that Dr. Ferran should be
allowed to continue with his experiments That
the anti cholera process of DR. Ferran is nothing
but an experiment, is perfectly true and have
no hesitation in asserting that even as an ex-
pertinent it is very crude, unscientilic and anti
patholOgc; and, unfortunately 1t has been di-
vested of all merit, if it ever had any, by con-
vertiug it, while in it's documentary state into an
unprofeSSiOnal industry"
DR.. Lagrange continuing, says: "Some per-
sons were found who suffered severe infammat on
of the arms from the vaccinations; others We're
reported to have died from blood poisoning
H attributes this to careless methods in the
work of incubation, and proceeds 1.-THE sta
tstics presented by DR.. Ferran to substantiate
his claims in favor of his broth seem to give him
support but unhappily for him cannot be taken
AS statistics by ybody free from prejudice.
The favorte statistics of Ferran is that of Alera.
In this place little less than one-half of t.
population have been inoculated, and more than
half the deaths are among the inoc-
that the deaths are counted from the
date of the invasion of the town by the cholera;
that those that suffer most from the attacks are
the poor, ill housed, ill-fed unciean who were
those not inoculated, the statistics decep-
tive aud misleading, and consequently are not to
be relied upon, unless it is to support false
claims among the fanatic and terror stricken
people. DIR Ferran makes the assertion that the
cholera until five days after the incubation, but
does not know for how many days after that
| they are protected. To say the least these
| statements are unscientifc we'll as the dongs
| of Ferran and are to be taken for what they
worth. The inoculated do not appear to acquire
immunity. because they are attacked by the ehol
era, and like those not inoculuted Had DR.. Ferran
been correct in his theories. and in the suppose
ton that microbes is the cause of cholera, 1 do
not know where humanity would have been
benefited damaged by his pretended propby
Tactic discovery. If every inoculated person had
suffered from the experimental or attenuated
cholera. and the diarrhea consequent to it had
been loaded with microbes, which in an inocu-
lated person would have been a source of infec-
ton for the rest of mankind under these cir
cumstances, / think that the Secretary of the
Interior deserved great praise for forbiddng
the incubation. 1t is my opinion that Ferran's
prophylactic of the cholera will be of short life
and will fall into much discredit as the
treatment Of cancer by the use of condurango
discovered some years ago by one of our own
physicians"
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS IN ENGLAND.