The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-19
PROF. KOCH'S DISCOVERY.
Perhaps this Scientist is to Inaugurate tn
Golden Era Of Corporal Existence.

Perhaps this Scientist is to Inaugurate the
Golden Era of Corporal Existence.
The results of the experiments made on
animals impregnated with consumption
germs in the Charlie Hospital, at Berlin, by
Prof. Robert Koch, have awakened intense
interest, not only throughout Germany, but
in other countries, says an exchange. The
alleged discovery Of the ..bacillus tubercu-
losis" is no new thing. It was about ten
years ago that DR.. Koch first announced
the parasite as appearing in all lung matter
of consumption. His name latterly has
been obscured by that of Pasteur, who,
working on the same theory, has treated
rabies, diphtheria and other maladies
by incubation with the diluted virus taken
from the spine of diseased animals.
His supposed cure for hydrophobia is
the best known of all. on account of the
strangeness Of the facts. the controversy
over the benefits gained and the numerous
pictures We have had of the indefatipable
doctor amid an array OF little walls filled
with rlagucs worse than those Of Egypt.
over which he has the patient command of
a modern Noses His greatest success thus
far has been with the sheep plague in rural
France, which the Pasteur dilution applied
by incubation has effectually stopped. 1t
was to be acknowledged that heretofore IN
all cases the treatment both of Pasteur and
Koch has been more successful in the case
of animals than of human beings.
DR.. Koch has until latterly limited his
tests to oats, rabbits and dogs. They have
been careful. prolonged and thorough.
Ridiculed and disparaged at first. he has
had that measure OF success which has
raised his tests from their experimental
stage into acknowledged scientific deduc-
tions. The germ theory of disease ia es-
tablished. Bacteria, miorococci, bacilli,
which look particularly unpleasant even on
paper, are given still more unpleasant
part, out Of all proportion to their size, in
the manifold ills which atilict us. They are
Tin the raging fire Of fever bred" and by
an amazing fecundity lay as as prone and
helpless IA CULVER in the thousands OF
tiny threads in which he was bound by the
Lilliputians.
Finding that Bacteria aLounded every
where, that they may be said to be amni-
present, never failing to appear in air OF
water, to attach themselves readily to ali
animal bodice. but to develop in masses
only where decomposition, the high fever OF
fermentation, and the destroying agency
of putrefation prevails, step further was
taken almost simultaneously by eminent
physicians in London, Berlin ana Philadel
phia, and thorough search began o. to
action q these minute living forms in
cholera, scarlet fever. diphtheria, rabies
oonsumption. and all maladies character.
lied by fever or wasting corruption.
The pork trichine, the parasite of the
itch and others are easily discovered by tn,
microscope. but the bacillus found in dis
ease 10 one of the smallest of all atoms, i
compares with man. according to a cele
brated authority, "a man with Mont Blanc
Years of investigation are required to de
termine its character and effects, All ar
different. There is bacillus Of diphthe
ria, one of cholera, another of co,Sump
ton, but may be in the shape Of a rod. or
spiral, or, We believe, disk, but it is neye
at its largest more than one twelve-t thou
sandth of an inch, and before it begins t
thrive and multiply in the human system
probably 20 small a. to be invisible to tn
6nest Instruments. II Dr.. Koch has reall,
discovered the bacillus which fastens o.
oonsumptive patients, there is q new or
daWning in medical science.
The prime factor in q disease ono
known, the means of curing 1t ought to b
possible. Dr.. Koch has been preparing 70
months past to treat consumptive patie mt
BY method analogous to vaccination will
Q solution Of the bacillus tuberculosis. an,
the fact that he has tested it on animal
with success. it ID said, in the Charlie hos
pitai. at Berlin, speaks we'll for his faith il
his discovery. Ths mere announcement @
his Intentions has drawn upon HIM letter
from all quarters from perDons, asking /,
b submitted to his treatment, At tn
last advices he had been permitted 70 aban
don his lecture work at the university i,
yeotieatieaa,