Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-15
PROF. KOCH'S LYMPH.
The Cure for Consumption Which the
Medical World Is Discussing.

The Cure for Consumption Which the
Medical World is Discussing.
In an article in this weeks German Medical
Weekly Prof Koch describes the effects of his
new cure for consumption. The article is en-
titled: Further Communications on the Cure
of tuberculosis and Experiments which DIR.
Libbertz and Staff Surgeon Pruhl Performed
Relating Thereto Under Prof. Koch's Direc-
ton"
In this article Prof. Koch says that he is as
yet unprepared to indicate the source from
which the curative matter is derived. Neither
is he ready to explain the method OF prepara-
tior. The reason he gives is that the expert
mental work has not yet been brought to CON-
pletioR He states, however, that the curative
lymph itself can now be obtained from DR.,
Libbertz, whose address is No. 28 Lueneburger
strasse, Berlin. The lymph is described as con-
slsting of a brownish transparent liquid It is
SO prepared as to be proof against deteriora-
ton.
When taken into the stomach the curative
matter proves to have no effect 1t must be
applied simultaneously by means Of q valveless
syringe.
When the curative matter is applied to a
patient the usual course is to inject it under the
skin Of the back. between the shoulder blades.
and III proximity to the loins
general and a local reaction followed the
application OF the lymph. as Prof. Koch found
on experimenting upon himself.
The general reaction consists of an attack OF
fever, which usually begins with shiyering:
the temperature of the body rises to over 80
(lO2 Fair. J. and in some instances even to Al
centigrade (105.S Fahr.) The patient is not
much affected by the attack induced by the
fluid, and after it is over feels comparatiyely
well; even better, in fact, than before the IN
lection.
In the second or local reaction, in a few
hours after an injection of the fluid has been
made under the skin OF the back, the lupus
sores begin to swell and redden. During the
fever the swelling and reddening of the sores
increase until finally the lupus tissue assumes.
III places, a dark brown tint and necrotic con.
dition.
Prof. Koch expresses the belief that his
remedy Will certainly prove cure for incipient
final and definite has not, he says, been clearly
proved Further experiments and continued
use OF the remedy will be necessary to deter
mine this question.
The curative properties of the new remedy,
Prcf Koch declares are OF still greater i'm
portance for diagnosis. What the fiuid kills is
not the tubercular bacillus, but the tubercular
| tissue. This fact indicates the well-defined
limits which the efficacy of the remedy will be
able to reach. In other words, it can only in
fuence living tubercuious tissue. 1t has no
| effect whatever upon dead tissue, such AS de-
| cayed Gaseous matter. necrotic bones and the
like
Patients with pronounced tuberculosis of the
! lungs have proved far more susceptible to the
remedy than those suffering with surgical
| tubercular affections. Consumptivcs with large
cavities in their lungs will probably only expe-
rienee benefit from the new remedy in excep-
tional cases, though most cases show temporary
Improvement.
Prof. Koch deprecates the mechanical and
lndlscriminate application Of the remedy He
holds that 1t would be preferable that the treat
ment should be applied i'll suitable institutions
where careful observ alton would be possible.
In all cases Prof. Koch emphasizes the neces-
slty OF early treatment Only in incipient
stages of disease. he declares, can the remedy
fully develop its efficacy.