New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-13
DIR. KOCHS CONSUMPTION CURE.

Whatever may be the result of DIR. Koch's
researches and experiments for the cure OF
consumption, he is certainly conducting them
in a manner which inspires confidence and
commands respect. Seldom, indeed, in late
years has any man devoted himself to work
of such thrilling and sensational interest with
so much modesty and actual avoidance of pub
licity as this young Prussian has displayed. 1t
is evidently his aim to cure consumption, not
to be talked about and lionized He is STU
dent. not a charlatan. Several years ago 1t
was known that he had given himself up al
most exclusively to the new science OF bacterl-
ology. One of his first important discoveries
therein was that tuberculosis is germ-dls-
ease, caused, that is, by microscopic living
organism. This, apparently, he fully proved
and thereafter his attention was chiefly directed
toward finding something that would destroy
this rod shaped bacillus" and thus cure the
most dreaded and fatal of diseases.
Early in his researches DIR. Koch found that
this germ, transplanted frcm the human body
10 the body OF guinea-pig would infallibly
produce tuberculosis in the latter, practically
identical with the disease in the human body
Thus he gained ground for ample experiment.
ing. and he utilized it so well that at the recent
international Medical Congress at Berlin he
was able to announce his discovery OF prepa-
ration that would check the ravages of tubercu-
losis in guinea pigs That statement was one
Of the most striking features of that Congress-
IL commanded instant and universal attention;
and the question at once rose in every mind
whether the same prescription would not also
bring to standstill the same disease in the
human frame. That is the question to which
Dr. Koch is presently to give definite answer
His friends and professional associates seem
confident that his answer will be in the afiirma-
tive But as for him, he remains retcent, I'M
willing to speak until positive results are at
tained, beyond the reach Of doubt. lie does
not propose to be reckoned another Brown
Sequard.
DR.. Koch is not, however, a mystery man.
but has talked frankly about his work and the
results for which he hopes. His system in
wolves the injection of germ destroying fluid
into the diseased body. For this purpose, he
says, he has tried many substances, number
of ethereal oils, aromatic compounds, the So
cailed tar dyes, and various metals. OF all
these. certain compounds of gold and cyanOgen
were most effective so effective indeed, that
in two million dilution they checked the
growth of tubercle bacili, in tube cultures
All these were, however, absolutely worthless
when applied to living animals fact, by the
way, which proved the necessity of using living
animals in the experiments. But after gold and
cyanogen, and many mercrrial preparations,
and auramin, and methyl blue, and naphthy-
Iamin, and paratoluidinxyl idin, had all failed
to cure consumption in his guinea-pigs, DIR.
Koch did not despair. At last he invented
lymph, made with certain metallic salts, by
troublesome and costly process, which would
and DID act upon the tu66rcle bacilli in living
animals. 1t kills the germs Immediately and
checks Immediately the progress of the dis
ease. without injuriously affecting the body
in any way. Moreover, it greatly aids the
healing processes, and fortifes the system
against further incursons of the bacilli
Having established these facts with regard to
puinea pigs, DIR. Koch was encouraged to ex-
tend his experiments to human beings. At the
Charity Hospital in Berlin eight patients were
found. suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis
who were willing to be operated upon by him.
They signed papers in which they declared that
tney voluntarily submitted themselves to his
treatment, and that they would not hold him
in any degree responsible for any bad effects
The results Of DIR. Koch's experiments upon
these consumptive patients, and upon others
afflicted with tuberculosis elsewhere than in the
lungs, have already been partially made known
and a complete and authoritative report from
DR.. Koch himself is promised in few days.