Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-15
CURE FOR CONSUMPTION.
Description of the Lymph Used by Pro-
fessor Koch.

GeScrIptiOn Oh tne Lymph tscu ny 4 fo-
fessor Koch,
BERLIN, November 14ih.- Professor
Koch publishes an article in the De1ltSche
Medinizisohe Wocheaschrif on the cure OF
tuberculosis. Professor Koch The is yet
unprepared to indicate the source from
which the curative matter is derived and
the method of preparation, for the reason
that experimental work is still in progress.
He states The curative lymph itself can be
obtsiued from Dr.. L.bbertz, whose address
is 90 Lueneberger strssse, Berlin. The
lymph is described as consisting OF brown
ish, transparent liquid, so prepared as to be
proof against deterioration. When diluted
with water for use, the matter is liable TO
decay. 1t is necessary, therefore, that the
attenustions be perfectly steriljzsd by heat
and pre:eive1 in wadding covering or
prepared with a solution of phenol so per
cent. strong. When taken in the stomach
the curative matter proves to have no effect
1t must he applied simultaneously by
means of the valveiess syringe, which must
be rinsed with absolute alcohol and kept in
a perfectly asceptic condition.
Twenty-Five hundredtbs OF cubic cent
meter intensely affected healthy man,
who was subjected to the experiment,
while two cubic centimeters applied to a
eulUSd pig udu llitle S4lSCl
Professor Koch injected twenty five hun
dredths of cubic centimeter under the
skin of his own arm, and within a few
hours experienced a contraction of the
limbs and marked feeling of lassitude
At the same time he felt desire to cough,
together with difficulty of breathing.
These symptoms increased rapidly, and in
FIVE hours he experienced al unususliy
violent rigor, accompanied with nausea
and the temperature of his body rose rap
idly. After twelve hours the symptoms
began to abate, and the next day the body
resumed its normal degree. The heaviness
of the limbs and languid feeling continued
several days, however.
The same results follow when the fluid
is applied to diseased persons sufferirg G
from other than tuberculosis affectione,
but in persons affected with tuberculosis,
with the same quantity II produces gen.
eral and local resction.
The reaction can best be observed in
those whose affection is visible, as, for in
stance, persons suffering from lupus.
Within a few hours after the injection the
lupus sores began to swell, and finally as
sumed dark brown tint. The fever sub
sides, the swelling decreases and generally
disappears, scsbs of matter falling of the
latter. The portions of the skin not clearly
recognized as lupus are not affected.
1t is asserted with confidence that the
remedy may be considered an indispensable
auxiliary 10 diagnosis, and in doubtful
cases incipient consumption can be
diagnosed by its use.
Professor Koch expresses the belief that
mis- remedy will certainly prove care for
incipient consumption. Whether, how
ever, the cure will be final and definite, is
,tn1r- i.
ments will be necessary to determine.
The remedy can only influence living
tuberculosis tissue 1t has no effect upon a
dead tissue, and produces no effect upon
tissues which have already been killed by
the application of the remedy. 1t follows,
therefore, that the tubercules tissue that is
still living must be made first to decay.
When this has been accomplished every
effort must be made to remove the dead
matter by surgery. Where this is impos-
sible, and secretion can only slowly pro-
ceed, the living tissue must be protected by
continued application OF the remedy.
! The remedy is applied in cumulative
doses. A small quantity at first suffices to
produce strong action. but as each succeed
| ing injection Causes disappearance of q
certain quantity of the tissues capable OF
reaction, increased doses are necessary, un-
/ til the patient experiences as little reaction
| as non-tuberculos people.
Patients who have been treated in the
early stages of phthisis have all been freed
from morbid symptoms within from four
! to six weeks, when they may be regarded
as healed. CONSERVATIVES with large cavi-
ties in their lungs will probably experience
benefit from tie new remedy only in ex-
ceptional cases. In all cases Professor
Koch emphasizes the necessity of early
treatment Only in the incipient stages OF
the disease, he declares, can the remedy
fully develop its efficacy. He deprecates a
mechanical and indiscriminate application
Of the new remedy, holding it preferable
that the treatment should be applied in
suitable institutions where careful obserya.
ton ia Dossib,p