The morning call., 1890-11-03
KOCH ON CONSUMPTION.

Six years have elapsed since DR.. Robert
Koch gave TO the world his theory that con-
sumption was caused by the presence in the
blood and tissues of microscopcal insect,
to which he gave the name of bacillus tuber-
culosis. He stated that the micro-organsm
was capable of being cultivated in suitable
media outside the human body, and when
introduced into healthy body would cause
a disease similar TO tuberculosis, but not
fatal. He sustained his theory by exhibit
ing specimens of the bacillus which were
obtained from the sputa of consumptives !;
they were photographed from drawings
made by mieroscropisis, and are to be seen
in all modern works ON bacteriology.
DIR. Koch's theory was accepted by the
profession generally; only few medical
men of standing rejected it. These latter
maintained that Koch had mistaken an
effect for a cause; that the bacillus of con-
sumption was called into existence by the
disease, and was merely one Of the symp-
toms which are exhibited in advanced
stages of phthisis. Physicians who con-
CURED with Koch devoted themselves to the
discovery of germicide which would de-
stroy the bacillus They have labored faith
fully on that line for six years, but without
success. They discovered that the bacillus
could be destroyed by a number OF agencies,
chiefly by the use of potent gases. But
these remedies, in extermin ating the insect,
killed the patient also.
We are now told that DIR. Koch has him
self discovered substance which can be in
troduced into the human body without
danger, and which possesses the property of
destroying insect life. He declines to state
the ingredients OF his germicide. But be-
fore the late International Medical Congress
he stated that be was experimenting with
the yaporS of mercury, gold, cyanogen and
silver, ard with the fumes of ethereal oils
so that IL may perhaps be inferred that in
some combination of these substances he
has found what he was seeking. In the
ward OF the Charlie Hospital, which has
been placed at his disposal for the purpose,
he has all ample field for his experiments.
II the parasitic nature of tubercular con-
sumption is admitted. the discovery OF way
Of destroying the parasites is n mere mat
ter of time. 1t is a scientific law that
micro-organisms prey upon each other, and
that each may be destroyed by the intro
duction into the system of a more vigorous
breed of organisms, as the poison of the
rattlesnake is destroyed by the introduction
of the poison of ammonia. The problem
for physicians to solve is to find what
class of micro-crganisms can be relied upon
to exterminate the bacillus Of consumption,
and how it can be introduced into the blood
without injury to the patient. That prob.
lem there appears to be reason for believ-
ing that Koch has solved.
The debt which the world owes to men
like PaSteur and Koch is too vast ever to be
paid. If services to humanity were APP
praised at their true value these savants
would rank higher in the scale of merit than
the most eminent soldiers and statesmen Of
the day. But the world accepts the boons
they confer without even thinking Of thank
ing the donor. Everybody takes ether when
tooth must be drawn, and no surgeon
thinks of opera ting till he has placed his
patient under the influence of chloroform; but
how many people remember even the names
of DIR. Morton and DR.. James Simpson? If
DIR. Koch is spared to co nduct his studies to
their normal term, we may live to see con-
sumption classed with the plague and the
black death among diseases of the past,
which have ceased to affliet humanity. Bot
what bonors will be conferred upon the
man who bestowed this priceless blessing
on humanity? What statues will be raised
to commemorate his person? What moneys