The sun., 1891-01-30

the germ theory with Its application to con-
tagious and miasmatic diseases. Having
this theory to work upon, germs were sought
for In the fluids and tissues OF those suffer-
ing from every contagious malady. Forty
years ago DAvAINE found the bacillus which
is the cause OF splenic fever or anthrax, and
thus a new world OF investigation was re-
vealed and a now science sprang into OK.
istencc. tho science OF bacteriology. All OF
the contagious or infectious diseases, small.
pox, diphtheria. measles. scarlet fever,
malarial fevers, cholera, typhus ty-
phoid fever. hydrophobia, tetanus, CLAN
Gers. luss. relapsing fever. leprosy.
lupus, tuberculosis. erysipelas. septic@mla,
pneumonia, yellow fever. are now considered
to be OF parasitic origin. and tho microbes
or bacteria OF many OF them have been seen
and described.
They probably produce their effects in the
organism by cngendcring blood posons
known as ptomanes. Knowing tho nature
and cause OF these diseases 1t now becomes
tho province OF the physician to prevent and
euro them. Less than one hundred years ago
JENNER accidentally hit upon vaccination
against smallpox without surmise that 1t
was germ disease. PAsTEUR has discov-
cred the cause and cure OF hydrophobia. 1t
Is tho merit OF KOCH to have found tho
bacillus Of consumption and OF lupus ten
years ago. and In the time elapsed since
then TO have established a method where
by ultimately these diseases may be eradi-
Gated. even II an absolute cure Is not as yet
assured. 1t Is not too much TO expect that
tho dawn OF the twentieth century will throw
light into other moro marvellous regions
that still remain invisible II tho twilight oi
tho nineteenth.
with the development Of pathology. public
health and hygiene have been studied and
methods devised for checking the advance
OF contagious diseases, for isolating such
cases In special hospitals, for preventing by
proper precautions their communication
from one member OF a family to another.
Better plumbing and improved systems OF
sewerage water supply, and ventilation,
as we'll for private houses, schools, hos
pitfalls, and factories as for whole cities,
have been the natural outgrowth Of modern
medical discovery
Moreover, many now Instruments have
been invented. whereby diseases may be de-
tected In an individual much earlier and
more accurately than formerly. many Of
which at one time could not be recognized
at all. The stethoscope reveals to the ply
sicien morbid conditions in the heart. lungs,
and great blood vessels; thcrmometry has
added to the exactitude OF determining the
character OF fevers; the ophthalmoscope. for
examining the interior of the eye, invented
In 1851, has revolutionized the practice of
the oculist, and is OF great service to the
neurologist In diagnosing diseases Of the
brain; and microscopical, spectroscopical,
and chemical Investigations OF the blood
and other fluids have wrought marvel
lous change in the treatment OF mala-
dies. Tho throat specialist would have
no existence without the laryngoscope. in
vented about sixty years ago. Among tho
most recent additions to the physician's
armament are the electrical endoscopes,
with which he may now inspect the mucous
membranes OF all tho cavities OF the body,
not excepting the walls Of the stomach.
Not only has progress been remarkable
in new methods OF pathological study and
now methods of diagnosis, but old means OF
treatment have been improved and new
modes OF medication added. Climatology
has been studied as it never was before, and
there are few places on the surface Of the
globe which have not been examined as to
their altitude, temperature dryness, or
humidity. and their suitability for certain
sorts Of disease. Hand In hand with this has
gone tho chemical analysis Of mineral
springs which have made Carlsbad, Saratoga.
and hundreds of other places tho resorts Of
thousands OF sufferers who find alleviation
in the use Of their waters
The great strides made In dietetics, In
hydro-therapy. In massage, in treatment by
electricity the almost daily discovery by
the chemist and pharmacologist OF new and
better drugs. are also striking indications
of what the future has in store.
Considering all these facts. remembering
the wide diffusion OF medical learning In
colleges and laboratories, and bearing in
mind that there nre now among physicians
hundreds Of workers and thinkers to one a
half century ago, it would seem as If the
days of ignorance and superstition, of char
latanry and quackery, OF faith cure and
| Christian science. OF pathes and secret mod
icnes. were about to pass away: as II at last
the old healing art were destined to give
place to a healing science infinitely more
| bcneticent.
The Right to Waive Trial by Jury.