The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-28

reference to the changes in the
ultimate parts OF which il is
the outward and visible sign,
we can very easily sketch out
a rational theory Of incubation. The
analogy Of timbre in the theory OF
sound is suggestive: a given note
struck on the piano and on the violin
are not identical TO the ear, for the
timbre or quality, which depends upon
the upper harmonics Of the funda-
mental note, are different for different
instruments. So far as they are iden-
tical in their harmonics they are alike
in quality, 30 that il all other har-
monies were suppressed, II would be
imp ossible for the ear to distinguish
any difference in the notes sounded
on different musical instruments, the
number OF vibrations in the funda-
mental note OF course being the tame.
The notes would thus be physically
and physioloRically identical; the air
would be similarly disturbed, as the
medium OF continuity between the
instrument and the ear and the ner-
vous system would be similarly dis
turbed in its relations to the sensori-
UNI. Now all we have TO do is to trans
late this into the language Of health
and disease: man is out OF sorts, the
quality OF his vitality is altered, the
vital motions in their ultimate molec-
ular recesses are different from
those which obtain in perfect health,
and disease is the result. In applying
this analogy OF molecular motion we
have no right to assume that the fund
ameDtal character Of the motion can
be altered in the living body, since
such is not the case in physics, and,
there FIRE, in considering the effects Of
drugs or other curative agents, in
Guiding specific viTue, alter the method
Of physical analogy we can only sup
pose that the quality Of motion is
altered by the addition OF subtraction
OF certain constituents which are not
essential to the existence OF che fund
amental motion"
but how would such q view as you
propose cover the protective influence
Of what you call specific virus?"
"a vibrating string will start another
string at ret I which lie under the same
physical conditions as itself, 80
that ii will sound the same note.
But if the string at rest be pinned
down at the middle point or in quarter
lengths, ETC., the string can on ly take
up the octave or such higher har.
monies as the lengths OF the free seq
ments correspond ID. The second |
string may then be used 10 set third |
string in motion; but here il is not |
necessary TO pin the string down into
lengths corresponding to the Other, for
the string naturally divides itself to
suit the transmitted vibrations, as
may be shown by little paper riders
which keep their places, while the
higher harmonies alone are being
sounded, but which are blown into
the air when the fundamental or that
whose half-wave length corresponds
to the whole length of the string is
struck. can apply this principle to
illustrate the action of drugs, pOisons
and iermentB on the animal economy.
We may say in general that the short
or the wave length and the less the
periodic time the higher is the phys
zeal quality Of the vibration the extra
red rays OF the spectrum, for inEtance,
are heat rays, and the extra violet are
the chemical rays which do the work
OF making picture on the sensitive
plate of the camera. Now all have
TO assume with regard to the microbe
In the process Of attenuation is that il
has lost certain lower qualities, that it
has evolved into higher microbe in
fact; that is to say that its power of do
ing mischief has been lost with certain |
Of its longer wave producing effects.
We may then suppose that ii acts
on the nervous system as any drug |
such as strychnine or morphia may |
be supposed to act; that is, IL tends 10 |
establish certain fixed states Of the |
nervous system, aud this, according |
to our analogy, would correspond to |
the pinning down OF the string. We
may auppoJe that the presence Of the |
specific disturbing cause OF the un-
tanned virus would correspond 10 the
sounding Of the fundamental note
which would be sufficiently powerful
to overcome the feeble inhibitions or
controls, which would thus be the ana.
logue OF the jerking off of the paper
riders OF the unpinned string. l do
not presume 10 Say that this in any way
represents the actual state OF affairs;
II Is, however, a useful hypothesis or
guiding conception"
From your acquaintance with chol-
Grain India, do you think that in
oculAtion will ultimately be found a
protective agent~
81 think / understand the subject Of
cholera as we'll as most men who have
made 1t special study, aud l am Of
opinion that living germ is an ele-
ment in its production. This being
the case, II is a legitimate inference
that that germ may be tanned or atten-
uated down 10 the protective stage.
The Spanish experiments appeared 10
be altogether too crude to furnish data
for exact conclusions. In the hands
of man like Pastsur / would lcok for
definite information one way or an
other as to the value Of inoculat OF in
cholera"
but cholera does not appear 10 be-
long TO the family OF febrile disea ses,
that are likely 10 be anticipated by the
Introduction OF q counter poison.
Why, then, do you expect 10 guard
against il by similar means"
"Theq question Is one OF causati on and |
not OF appearance the likeness depends
upon the introduction Of living dis
turbing cause in each case, with Ger.
tain consequences peculiar to each.
Besides, the Peshawar fever, a true
malarious fever, and horrible one at |
that, Caunot be distinguished from
Asiatic cholera in its earlier stage. |
You cannot always rely upon mere APP
pear for the classification OF dis
ease"
"What is your opinion, doctor, Of the |
use OF inoculation as q protective
against yellow-ieverp
have never yet seen yellow-fever
and can therefore only answer your
question on general principles and at
second hand, from hearsay evidence.
l have met with levers in India which
closely resembled the yellow.fever Of
I thia pOuntrv hut I am convinced that