Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-27
K0CHINE.

-~~>~4ASA~s
DIR. Koch's experiments with his lymph
for the cure of consumption cannot be
said to be conclusive. But they certainly
do appear to bear out his theory, and to
promise an inestimable blessing to hui
mainly.
In the first flush of such discoveries
there is always some unwarrantable en-.
thusiasm. Indeed, it is not c1editable to
the liberal spirit of the age that such
feverish demand should prevail, for con-
elusive proofs, as has been the case in the
discoveries of Pasteur and Koch. We APP
pear either TO accept the claim of the dis
covery too readily, or to be uncharitable
in our impotence for its immediate appli-
cation and demonstration. So radical has
been the expectancy, that DIR. Koch has,
In several quarters, and by not few of
the press, been denounced because his ex-
periments have not all been emphatic and
Immediate successes.
Those afflicted with tubercular disease
have jumped to the conclusion that
Koch's lymph would cure at any stage of
the disease, and absolutely restore wasted
tissue of the lungs.
There has been no warrant for such be-
lief-Dr. Koch has never claimed that the
lymph would cure in much advanced
cases. The most he has claimed is, that
In certain of the earlier stages of the evil,
it can be arrested. Nor has he claimed
that the injection of the fluid is free from
danger. On the contrary, his constant
statement has been that its use involves a
very considerable serious risk.
The idea has gained credence that the
lymph actually kills the bacilli. This is
not true; it causes the unhealthy tissue of
the lungs containing the tubercle to
separate from the healthy parts, and be
cast off with the bacilli still alive. The
lymph is a thin solution, viscid fluid,
resembling in color thin iodine, IS greatly
diluted with sterilized water, and is in
jected simultaneously between the scapula,
though it may be applied in any part of
the body.
In about three hours after application
the pulse of the patient quickens, the
respiration becomes labored and the tenn
perature rises rapidly, going up at times
to LOG, and the pulse registering as high
as 160. Very frequently there is deatbly
nausea, and vomiting follows. Sometimes
there is great prostration, and in some
cases the patient goes into comatose con-
dition from which it is difficult to bring
him out.
1t will be thus seen that the lymph is
most powerful and dangerous agency.
Time sufficient has not elapsed to de- !
termine whether the lymph may not in !
removing diseased tissue induce or leave !,
behind other disease. There is not now
any known reason for entertaining any
suspicion of that sort, still it may be
possibility. The reasonable inference is !!
that when the agent has accomplished its !
work it ceases to have any power what
ever.
DIR. Koch is particularly emphatic in !!
his warning against the use of the lymph !,
In any case of much advanced tubercular |,
complaint. In all such cases, he says, the |
infltrations that follow injection so thicken !
the lung as to dangerously diminish the |
air space. He is also solicitous that the |
world shall understand that more is |
claimed for Kochine on the outside than
he has ever preferred for it. Neverthe- !,
less it is known that it has put stop to !,
consumption in early stages that it has !,
restored many to health who were going
rapidly into decline; that even some !,
rather advanced cases of consumption have !,
been cured. But, of course, considerable !,
time must elapse before the medical world !,
will learn of the full value and of all the |
dangers of Kochine.