Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29

&<3 HW ested conjectures on the
Z&Y IN, point, one notion at
NZzzI/1 Z first held being that the
W NJ q lymph in question was
~/|1 : solution Of what are
~ called ''phagicytes. "
These are animal cells
which exist in the body and serve the
purpose Of scavengers, devouring the
disease-producing bacilli that come in
their way. For example, the lining of the air
spaces in the lungs is filed with these defend
ers OF the tissues, which gobble up the tuber-
cular bacteria breathed in and 80 prevent them
as far as they can from doing any harm. Prob
ably not day passes that one does not inhale
more or fewer germs of consumption, and 80
the phagicytes have plenty Of work to do.
But this first theory has been abandoned as
untenable. for the simple reason that DR..
koch's fluid is sterilized-that is to say it has
no life in it and cannot therefore, contain such
conclusion apparent to the physicians. This
Is that the mysterious injection must be of a
material known as "ptomaine."
This ''ptomaine' is one of the most interest
ing and peculiar substances imaginable.
TUBEFUL OF CONSUMPTION.
At the Army Medical Museum here you will
be shown, if you ask the favor, a glass tube con-
tanning sufficient number of tuberculosis
germs to inoculate with consumption the entire
population of Washington. single one of
these might be made by simple operation to
produce tubercular consumption in your own
lungs. To this you would probably not con-
sent, but another very interesting thing may
be done with them. By chemical processes
may be separated from them their own particu-
lar poison, which, injected into the veins of a
human being. will produce not the disease it
self, but merely the symptoms that accompany
1t ordinarily. This poison is called "ptomaine. !"
ITO illustrate what this meanr, take the case
OF typhoid fever. From the germs of that
complaint is readily obtained by chemical
means its essential poison or typhoidal ''pto-
maine" The disease itself is an Inflammation
OF certain portion Of the bowels. But, when
you are lnOculated with the typhoidal pto-
maine you have not this Inflammation, but
toms which accompany typhoid. In other
words, 1t gives you the symptoms without the
disease. Curious, is it not?
1t is the same way with all the other horrible
complaints-such as carbuncle, diphtheria
pneumonia, &C., of which the museum keeps
on hand stores Of germs bottled up; from each
kind ptomaine is obtainable.
But, happily, some kinds Of these SYMPTOM
producing cells found in the ptomaines are
deadly foes OF other kinds, and the medical
men are much disposed to believe-not being
able to imagine any alternative-that Prof
Koch has discovered kind Of ptomaine which
fatally attacks the bacilli of consumption or of
any other sort Of tuberculosis.
MILLIONS TO BE BENEFITED.
Inasmuch as there are not fewer than
SOC, or 600, 600 people in the United States
at present who are afflicted with consumption
1t Is not surprising that this new discovery
should have created widespread interest on
this side Of the water 1t is estimated that
1000, 900 persons die each year in Europe from
tuDerCuOSlR mOStlv Of fba In
one individual out of every seven born into
the world is destroyed by the disease Sup
posing that Prof. Koch's invention is as repre-
sented. he is incomparably the greatest bene-
factor of mankind known to history
However, it must be distinctly remembered
that he only asserts the value Of his lymph for
tine cure of commencing consumption. 1t de-
strOys the bacilli wherever it can get at them
but this is impossible in a case of long standing
where the microscopic rod-shaped vegetable
enemies have made their way to and multi
piled in the deeper tissues of the lungs How
they accomplish this and do their fatal work is
well worth describing.
HOW THE GERM WORKS.
Suppose that, as constantly happens, one
breathes in a tubercular bacillus be on q
street car, where they are apt to swarm. II
one is thoroughly well its attempt to find a
lOdgment IL likely to be resisted by the healthy
TISSUES. But if one should be troubled with
such thing as a cold on the chest, for example,
the little foe might succeed in getting a roOstinR
place inside one of the air cells which compose
the lungs, where there was some Inflammation
and the phagicytes were not in O condition to
gobble it up. Having accomplished this much
the bacillus Immediately begins to propagate
Its kind with great rapidity, throwing off four
or six infant cells of its own sort which in turn
multiply progressively. The presence of a
colony of these creatures sets up an infiamma-
ton, which soon results in the breaking down
OF small portion of tissue. In and around
this particle of dead, cheesy matter the germs
go on multiplying. though nature tries to shut
them off from the rest Of the lung by surround
ing their colony with a cellular envelope. Thus
Is made what Is called a 'tubercle."
Unfortunately the tubercle in its early stages
Is niied with VEINS through which the bacilli
are communicated to other parts of the lung
and in this way the whole organ may become
rapi;ly Affected. OF course the tubercles oc-
cupy with dead matter the mir spuces and 70
DIMINISH the breathing room. But the way lin
winch people are ordinarily killed by consump-
fion Is different The tubercles attack the
upper part Of the lung, Inflammation induces
suppuration, there is quick death Of tissue and
the patient succumbs
Such is the disease for which n cure is said to
have been found in Its commencing stages. But
tuberculosis is a complaint that attacks many
parts of the body besides the lungs-as the
glands In the throat or elsewhere, the Joints,
the bones and the skin. In all such places the
baciiii are much more readily got at and the
tubercles broken up by kneadins the parts
The class of diseases touched by Prof Koch 8
discovery is n most extensive one, entirely out
side Of consumption of the lungs.
An Invocation.
From binding task and daily care set free.
From our own selves desiring most release
o kindly nature, we have come to thceI
Give rs thy peace
From empty shows that have no mower N b,e.a.
From the sweet, lost illusion Of Our youth
We come to learn Of thee thy steadfastness-
Thy changeless truth.
Each spring thy shining buttercups unSolA-
Through all the years they vary not IN hue.
my violets nave their fragrance ~ Of Old
Their faithful blue.