Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-11
LYMPH GETS A LIMP
DR.. Painters Statements to The Dis
patch's New York Correspond
ent Create Surprise.
INTEREST IN THE CURE RENEWED.
Old Antagonists of the Koch Methcd Stamp
the Interview as Very Proper
Exposure of 1t.
INTEREST IN THE CURE RENEWED.
OTHER PHYSICIANS SAY OTHERWISE.
What Prominent Medical Men Think Regarding This
YeYcd Question.


fences while under four months course Of
Koch lymph treatment at Berlin, published
exclusively in Yesterdays DISPATCH, wa:
matter for discussion which occupied q
good many people yesterday. DR.. Psinte,
is well known in Pittsburg, both profes
sionally and socially, and the statements
eTnanatiDg from him respecting his opinion
Of the lymph cure excited very general in
terest. His strong reflections on the prac.
tice of the European physicians and his
entire dcnUEciation of all worth in the
efficacy OF the Koch lymph as a remedy for
tuberculosis we're received with much sur
prise by medical men, who remembered
the encouraging reports Of his progress
which Dr. Painter sent Eele from Berlin.
In fact, msny of ;he physicians, whose
opinions on the statements made in THE
DISPATCH article yesterday were canvassed,
heSitatcd not to express strong doubts as to
whether DIR. Painter did say all that was at
tributed 10 hiln. In this relation The DIS
PATCH can thoroughly vouch for the entire
reliability of its New York correspondents
account OF his interview with pr. Painter.
An Opinion on the Article.
Among physicians the charges brought
against the remedial properties Of the lymph
excited as much interest rs the personal ex-
perienees OF Ole of *heir body. The old
nntagonism which 4 majority of the pro-
fession hare always entertained toward the
innovation was awakened, and on the other
hand, physicians who had attempted its use
were not backward in expressing their
g H. IL
Painter interview Among the latter Dr.
Lange, of Penn avenue, is known as prom
inent He has used the lymph extensively
at the West Penn Hospital and elsewhere.
When called upon yesterday for an ex-
preston OF opinion he said that he only
took patients sent him Dy other physicians,
and it was for them TO say whether their
patients shouiG take the lymph or not
az am surprised at some Of the statements
alleged 10 have been made by DIR. Painter"
said Dr. Lange, land am 10th to believe
that all those attributed to him in the report
in TIIE DISPATCH were made bv him. DR..
Painter, like all other men who fail to at
tain health by the use of the lymph, is dis
appointed, but. as / have a slight acquaint-
ance with the doctor, 1 do not believe
the natural disappointment would prompt
him to say the bitter things the article con-
taius. He is made to say, for instance, that
in the European hospitals patients are being
killed By hundreds and that they have
killed me, and that he was saved by the
sea voTage. These statements are incon-
gruities. That DIR. Won Bergman or one
of his assistants saw Dr. Painter every two
hours is evidence of their interest in and
devotion 10 him. and it seems harsh, even if
they failed to restore him to health, to re-
ward their services by accusations of having
killed him.
Patients Dying From tuberculosis.
s'The charge that tuberculosis is inocu-
lated bv the lvmph," continued DR.. Langs,
"wiIl not hold. In the first place. only
such patients as already have tuberculosis
are treated by the lymph; and, in the next,
because the lymph is frequently boiled,
thus destroying the bacillus, its spores,
and other germs with which it may
become contaminated. When patients have
pulmonary tuberculosis on one side and
treated by the lymph without effect and
die with tuberculosis upon both sides, this
result cannot be charged to their treatment
for the very good reason when q consump-
tive dies of this disease, without having had
the lymph, both sides are invariably af-
feeted. This has been proven by thousands
OF autopsies Both sides are always in
~
also complains in the articles" said DR..
Lange, again referring to.a copy of yester-
days DISPATCH, that he has been sub
jected TO rude attacks upon his regularity
OF habits, tnat the weak native red wine
did not suit his taste: til at the sanitary ar
rangements of the clinic were not satisfac-
torv,' and that his wounds were not sewed
up. His whole treatment at the hands of
DR.. Won Bergman and his assistants some
Of whom were with him constantly, was
bad. What reward these doctors received
is not stated, but their punishment is as
strong as Doctor Painter can make it.
''You must understand" DR.. Lange con-
tinueG, "that do not defend the lymph
treatment of tuberculosis. / have refused
ten patients where / have treated one.
have frequently pointed out its uncertainty
II viii require many years yet before it can
be assigned its proper place.
The Present Status OF the Lymph.
patients like DR.. Painter should remem-
her this, and not embrace it unless they are
prepared 10 take consequences; this being
at the least failure to cure and not, as at
trihuled TO Dr. Painter in the article, dis
asteY, torture and death As 10 the status
OF the lymph at present, it is definitely as
ceZtained that il has an effect upon the
tJherculous tissue: that the effect is good in
al present it deserves consideration with
the other remedies for tuberculosis
d.. ". T. English said that time was
necessary factor III proving or disproving
the merits of Koch'S lymph. ''The cautious
skepJic and the jmpuisive enthusiast" he
said, ''alike deplore its apparent failure.
Or account of the very ha:tering reports
received here and printed at the time in
Tie DISPATCH, it YVES anticipated that DR.
Painter would furnish a more favorable
recital of his experiences than thai appear
ing in Yesterdays issue Of TIE DISPATCH
Now, to observe this hopeful and earnest
patron of DR.. Koch turn aside with disap-
pointment viii do much to prejudice the
laity against the treatment. 1t can
not be denied that, SO far, the
lymph has offered little else than
opportunity for experiment. The reports
Of cures are rare, and those are "a the first |
stages of consumption. Any experienced |
physician. by availiug himself of methods !
already known, can treat these cases with |
better results. To say that the lymph has |
a special remedial power is lot JUSTIFIED by
the reparis from the hospitals, and places |
where i: mas been employed.
Is Has Not Killed Yet.
II have vet 10 learn of its killing any,
boiy, and il DR.. Painter 6ies-hn claims he |
is already isilled, in consequence of his |
treatment abroad-he will be the first Penn |
sviTani;la to DC so martyred. !
A physician who has been using the Koch |
lymph Tor some time was requested TO state |
his views respecting DR.. Painters charges. |
He was unwilling his name should be men
toned He SD: "If DIR. Painters state
IDeHts ave not colored in the report, mis- /
Il