Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-17

PHILADELPHIA, November l6.-The
| following official statement was issued
yesterday by the University of Penn
Sylvania:
For ten years past there has been a
special department in the University
Hospital for the treatment of conSump-
ton and other chronic diseases OF the
chest. The Introduction of new methods
Of research in throwing light upon the
obscure question of the nature and
treatment of all tuberculosis affections,
both medical and surgical. 4 special
committee has now been appointed to
pursue extensive Investigations upon
this vitally important subject.
The following gentlemen have been
appointed upon the committee: DR..
William Pepper, DIR. James Tyson, DIR.
j. William White and DR.. John ii. Mus
ser. In addition to carefully conducted
observations upon cases in the Gibson
wing for chronic diseases, elaborate
studies will be made in the bacteriolog-
ical labratOry Of the University under
the direction Of DR.. John Guiteras,
Professor of Pathology. Leave OF alb
Sence for sixty days has been granted TO
DR.. GuiteraS, who will proceed immedl-
ately TO Berlin TO familiarize himself
with the methods and results of Prof.
KOch'S new treatment.
DR.. ]. William White, professor of
clinical surgery in the University Of
Pennsylvania, and Of the UniverS-
ity committee on the investigation OF
tuberculosis disease, was asked his
opinion OF the value Of koch'S diScov-
cry. from surgical standpoint. He
said:
While ii is impossible with the in
formation thus far received TO estimate
its exact Importance. am of the opin-
ion that, after allowing for all the nat
ural enthusiasm and cXaggeration at
tendant upon new discovery, il will be
found that great step in advance has
been made In the treatment of
the most formidable of all dis
eases. base this opinion on my
I knowledge Of the eXactneSS and aceur-
acy Of all of KOch'S previous scientific
work, and upon the fact that the dis
cOvery. If IL has been made, is simply an
Extension Of our knowledge in the pre-
else line along which it has been ad-
vancing for the past decade with such
enormous rapidity.
During that time the relations of var
iouS diseases 10 micrO-OrganiSmS have
been clearly recognized, and efficient
methods Of prevention or cure have
been applied Is consequence OF that
recognition. The different forms OF
blood poisoning. erySipelaS, hospital
gangrene, etc, have almost been wiped
ont from the list of surgical diseases,
and hundreds of thousands of lives have
been saved thereby.
The group of tuberculouS diseases has
however. remained practically un
touched until now. The surgical di-
SeaSes caused by tubercle are found
chiefly in the skin. bones and glands
lTurberlocusis of the skin shows itSeli
lin a peculiar obstinate liberation called
lupus. very rebelliOuS to ordinary treat
lment. perSistiug for years, and Otter
producing hOrrid Disagreement. In the
glands tubercle causes large Swellings
and assesses, also very troublesome L
manage. while in the bones and joints
: il produces changes that constant.
. lneceSSitate grave operations like eN
- ciSiou or amputatiOn. The widespread
character Of tuberculOuS disease will b'
I better understood by the laity wheI
b they know that scrofuls, with all It's
variety of painful, deforming and in
: tractable manifestations, Is merely
a form Of tuberculosis.
r Koch's paper is characterized b,
: marked caution and reserve. lie e,
: pressly calls attention TO the pre>er
limitations of his method ard 10 th
IF needs for auxiliary medical and Surgic'
n treatment for proper hygenic surround
n. ingS, good nursing, etc. and recon
L mendS the use OF the remedy in Sanata
le in Instead Of at the patients homes. |
T. however. the least he claims for tn
v remedy itself is true, and his past rec
: ord entities his statements 10 reSpectfI
consideration, he is one of the grea
= benefactorS OF the human race, To b
A ranked only with Harvey, Pare, Hunt
: er. Jenner. PaSteur and Lister.