The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-04-11

The novoiution IN Medicine.
While the data for an exact apprecia-
ton Of the cure for consumption pro-
ro8ed by Koch nre by no means com
rlete, sufficient facts exist 70 warrant n
discussion Of the subiect at the present
time. The uuptofessional readersh
understand that Koch, mainly by reason
Of his discovery Of tie cause Of con-
sumption, has for several years been the
most prominent figure in medical
science that has been known in our gem
erution. His methods have been models
Of scientific accuracy, and the authority
of his statements is now almost unques-
toned, I'm an article published by Kocl,
simultaneously in this country and in
Germany, on November IA, $780, the de
tails Of the new treatment of several
T. rms of tuberculosis are given. In Il
Berlin pap I, six DAYS later, is a descrip-
ton of the mode Of preparation Of the
curative lymph
The latter, in al probability, is sub
slantially correct; at least, no correction
or contradiction las thus far appeared,
and the method is essentially the one
that is employed in obtaining poisonous
products From other toxic bacilli Tie
method as described. con lists in pl cling
in an iucul uting apparatus a pure cul-
ture Of tubelcle Lacilli in gelatin EEL
heet broth. Tie apparatus is divided
INTO uh ~ er and a lower portion b a
diaphragm of urgalvnn zed porcelain
tie hcilii Icing placed in the urpcl
mrariment In he COZ rse of time
the & lati liqueiies, and liquid slo" y
n"ets tlIougn the porcelain into the
lower compa tment This liquid Is the
curative lNWpA. Tie iympl thus oh
'allled may ntnin a piomane, although
the tu.e ercle piomniHe, II 1t exists, has
II 'Nel p'lore been FOUND Certlin ptn-
u'a'hes are obtained fr m microrgan.
l''hs y mclll"ds reSem Ing tht t't
urscrihed Thp toxic ptomalnes are pro
u'ceu ny the ,X'c uacIlli, and these are
| sup ei To be the direct cause oi
various dlsenses, the acilh lei g toxic
ohiN III SO tar as they produce the,e
p"t"hlalnes' As very many bacilli are
not toxic, u any tomaiues have no
pols nous pro- critics. Probably the
pr"d"ctIo' OF ptomalnes is limited, and
IN The case OF tex c taCilli, those tml
have reduced pIomaines in the body
are thrown OIL, alter having, to greater
OF less extent damaged the larts in
which they have been lodged; but the
organisms thus thrown OIL, If they find
lodgmeht III another body, may multi
ply, produce plonnnes a ain. and re-
peat the processes just described. 1t is
III JIlls way that {, ,rtaln diseases are
propagateL ny cohtagion.
from tle meager ANA disconnected
reports that come from Euro, e, it ap-
pears That AN analysis of tile lymph fails
to reveal the presence of a ptomaine
chemically considered; but the lymph
certainty con alas one or more sub
stances capable of producing certain OF
the effects OF toxic ptomanes How
ever, tile chemistry OF the ptomaines is
IN ITS infancy and we must await exact
and elaborate researches before it will
be possible to decide upon the compo.
sltioh ana properties OF the lymph OBJ
tam by hoch. The statements made
py Aoch himself are OF a character
tully toe justify the profound impress
sion they have made upon the public as
well as upon the medical profession.
Koch's previous career entities his ut
terances to the most respectful con-
sideration. A few years since he dis
covered tile cause of tuberculosis, and
this discovery at the present day ha1 no
scientific opposition worthy of serious
consideration. lie now states that he
probably has discovered cure for
tuberculosis.
can not but think that this also will
soon become an acknowledged fact
can not resist the conviction that the
idea IN the mind Of Koch which led to
tile discovery OF the curative lymph,
was that a toxic bacillus is capable of
producing poison which would possibly
destroy the bacillus on at least limit its
activity and dlslodge 1t from the system.
Probably the curative and active agent
IN The lymph was oOtal"ed from tuner.
Gle b"clllI and produced ny them. L. is
now said that Koch regards his studies
In tuberculosis rs complete, awaiting
only the results OF exp rieuce with re-
/ gard t. the permnnrncy If the cure and
1 its Application to advanced cases of
disease. 1t Is also said that K ca is eX-
tending his experiments and is en-
| dravoring to find cures for tyl hus ard
/ Up old, scarlet fever, measles, and
/ dIi ntheriu. Itnay lie tiat his / ne of re-
search viii Ue in tie direction Of indiug
special poison produced bt micr
/ orgnnisins ! ecnIinr- To eurh infncti,u-