The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-19
ELIXIR OF ANIMAL LIFE.
A Biologist Dissects the Theory OF the Me,
ical Notwithstanding Sarcasm.

A Biologist Dissects the Theory OF the Med
ical Notwithstanding Sarcasm.
Philadelphia Press
Interest in the possibility that DR.. Brown
Sequard's theory of a vital animal elixir
might be a true one continues. undated,
though the possibility itself is growing
weaker. John A. Ryder. professor of COM
parative embryology in the University of
Pennsylvania, contributes the following
paper, weighing the question in the scales
of a biologist:
The world of laymen, and biologists in
particular, have lately been startled by the
announcement that a distinguished French
Psychologist had discovered a remedy for
the failing powers of advancing age. The
eminent respectability of the source of this
announcement has led not q few medical
men in this country to repeat the expert
ments upon enfeebled or aged persons with
a view TO test their value. There is danger
of this ''new remedy" becoming the means
of d~ishOnOrable practices at the hands of
INSCRIPTIONS persons. If it has not already
been SO used.
1t is only certain portions of the lower
animals, such as the fresh male repro
ductive tissues or glands of guinea-pigs.
dogs, rabbits and lambs, which are used for
this purpose. After these organs are re-
moved from the recently killed animals
they are at once crushed in a mortar and
an extract Is thus obtained which is
diluted with distilled water, filtered and
injected beneath the skin of the patient
who is thus to be invigOrated or reiu-
venated. This, in essence, is the method.
and from its application remarkable re-
suits have been reported as following.
AS a biologist and specialist who has
made the reproductive processes and
products the objects of prolonged study /
must pronounce it as my opinion that the
whole theory of the proposed remedy is ab-
surd, unscientitic and worthy only of per-
sons who have had no training in element
airy biological work. That the seminal
cells could or do in any mysterious way
transmit owe to the enfeebied or decrep-
1t organism of an old person, after such or
even previous to such a process of mutila-
ton with pestle and mortar, dilution with
water. addition of glycerine, etc., Is
sublimely ridiculous to those who have
actually witnessed the marvellous processes
of fertilization which occur when the liv-
ing male cell and the egg are brought into
contact ultimately, uniting 10 form III
embryo, or the nucleus of a new being.
Does not every b%otanist and zoologist know
that crushing living matter kills and dis
organizes II! Do they not know that the
addition of water, glycerine and other
liquids of differing density Is fatal to the
life of naked living protoplasm9
As if all the possible refinement of the
exquisite arts of protoplasmic vivisection
and murder We're to be appealed to in the
preparation of this elixir" our ''rejuvenat-
Ors of the decrepit" next proceed to filter
their precious LIQUID. This is the climax of
liit hfCthONcs ~ 10 "a I'LL
piled. if it has not been openly stated. that.
III some mysterious way. the virility or
virile properties which are supposed TO be
contained in the preparation which has
been concocted. are capable of transference
from several of the lower ANIMALS to de-
crepit men by the aid of the hypOdermic
syringe. Has it ever occurred To these
philosophers in search of the elixir vit;e
that the very substance which is the
active agent in inducing development un-
der normal conditions is the part which
they filter out of their solution and throw
AWAIT
The crushed debris of disorganiZed male
elements. connective tissues, epithelial
cells. etc. is what is in reality used for the
purpose OF injecting into the bodies of those
who are the subjects of the treatment. Can
anyone who has followed the development
and progress OF precise biological inquiry
help but express his establishment at the
~eredulity OF the profession and public in
the face OF these Inpleasantly true facts!
Let us gather the fallen grains of plants
and triturate them in the same way: mix
the pnlp so obtained with water and filter,
and inject as before, and / will venture to
say the result will be the same rs if the
animal tfuid were used. The person who
subjects himself to such proposed treatment
need have no fear OF beginning TO put out
fowersand leaves. Whatever value thonew