The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-16
KOCH TELLS HIS SECRET.
He EXPLAINS WHY 1T WAS NOT
GIVEN OUT BEFORE.

WORKED Out his DiScoVery-The Eff
fective Substance Insoluble in Alco-
hol.
BERLIN, Jan. 15.-The long-taiked OF
secret Of ingredients entering into the COM
position Of DR.. Koch's famous lymph is
given to the world at large. Prof. Koch
says: "Since publishing two months ago
the results OF my experiments with
the new remedy for tuberculosis,
many physicians who received the
preparation have been enabled to become
acquainted with its properties through
their own experiments. So far as have
been able TO review the statements pub
lished and the communications received by
letter my indications have been fully and
completely confirmed. The general con-
sensus of opinion is that the remedy has a
specific effect upon tubercular tissues, and
Is therefore applicable as a very delicate and
sure agent for discovering latent, and the
diagnosis Of doubtful tuberculosis processes.
Regarding the curative effects of the rem
edy most reports agree that, despite the
comparatively short duration OF the appli-
cation, many patieuts have shown more OF
less pronounced Improvement IL has been
affirmed that in not a few cases even cure
has been established.
DANGER IN THE REMEDY.
standing quite by itself is the assertion
that the remedy may not only be dangerous
in cases which have advanced too far-a
fact which may forthwith be conceded
but also that it actually promoted the tuber-
culosis process, being therefore injurious.
During the past six weeks, |, myself, have
had an opportunity to bring together further
experiences touching the curative effects
and diagnostic application Of the remedy in
the cases Of about 100 sufferers from tuber~
culosis OF the most varied types in this city
and in the hospital. | can only say that
everything l have latterly seen accords
with my previous observation. There has
been nothing TO modify in what before
reported.
HIS EXCUSE FOR HIS DELAY.
"As long as 1t was only a question Of
proving the accuracy OF my Indications IL
was needless for any one to know what the
remedy contained, or whenceit was derived.
On tho contrary, subsequent testing would
necessarily be more unbiased, the less people
knew OF the remedy itself Now, after
sufficient confirmatory testing. the impor-
tance Of the remedy is proved.
My next task is to extend my study
of the remedy beyond the field where it has
hitherto been applied, and If possible to up
ply the principle underlying the discovery
Co other diseases This task naturally de-
mands full knowledge OF the remedy. l
therefore consider that the time has arrived
when the requisite indications in this direc-
tion shall be made"
MAKING THE DISCOVERY.
Dr. Koch then describes in detail the
method by which he arrived at his discovery
in his experiments with guinea pigs, bring
ing him to the result that anything intended
to exercise q healing effect on the tuber-
culous process must be soluble substance
which would be lixlviated to GER
tain extent by the fluids of the body
floating around the tubercle bacilli, and
be transferred in fairly rapid manner to
the juices Of the body, while the substance
producing suppuration apparently remains
behind in tubercular bacilli or dissolves but
very slowly.
THE REMAINING IMPORTANT POINT.
"The only important point was, there
fore, to induce outside the body q process
going On inside il possible, and to extract
from tubercular bacilli alone the curative
substance. This demanded time and toll,
until finally succeeded with the aid of a
40 to so per cent. solution of giycerine in
obtaining an effective substance from the
tubercuIar bacilli. With the fluid
SO obtained / made further ex-
periments on animals and finally on
human beings. These fluids were
given to other physicians to enable
them to repeat the experiments. The rem
edy, which is used In the new treatment,
consists Of gIycerine extract. derived from
pure cultivation of tubercle bacilli Into
the simple extract there naturally passes
from tubercular bacilli besides the effective
substance all other matter soluble in so
per cent Of Rlycsrine Consequently, 1t
contains a certain quantity OF mineral salts,
coloring substances and other unknown
extracUive matter. Some of these sub
stances can be removed from it tolerably
easily.
THE EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCE.
"The effective substance Is insoluble In
absolute alcohol. It can be precipitated by
it, though not indeed in pure condition, but
still combined with other extractive matter
which is likewise insoluble in alcohol
The coloring matter may also be removed,
rendering it possible TO obtain from the
extract colorless, dry substance con-
tanning the effective principle and IN much
more concentrated form than the original
glyccrine solutions. For application in
practice, this publication Of glycerine ex-
tract offers no advantage, because the sub
stances so elimiEated are unessential for the
human organism. The process of purlfica-
tion would make the cost Of the remedy un-
necessarily high.
CONSTITUTION OF THE SUBSTANCES.
Regarding the constitution of the more
effective substances, only surmises may
for the present be expressed. 1t appears to
me to be derivative from albuminogs bodies
having close affipity TO them. 1t does not
belong to the group Of so-called taxal-
bumens, because it bears high temperatures
and in dialyser goes easily and quickly
through the membrane. The proportion Of
substance in the extract, TO all appearance,
is very small. 1t is estimated at fractions
of per cent, which, IL correct, we should
have to do with matter whose effect upon
the organisms attacked with tuberculois
goes far beyond what is known to US of the
strongest drugs. Regarding the manner
in which the specific action Of the remedy
on tuberculous tissue Is to be represented
various hypothesis may be naturally put
forward.
EXPLAINING THE PROCESS.
"Without wishing to affirm that my
view affords the best explanation, repre-
sent the process myself in the following
manner: Tubercle baciili, produced when
growing In living tissues the same as In ar
tfhcial civilizations. contain certain sub
stances which variously and notably un-
favorably influence living elements In their
vicinity. Among these is a substance which
Ia certain degree of concentration kills
or so alters the living protoplasm that it
passes into the condition that Weigert 6e-
scribes as coagulation necrosis. In the
tissue thus become necrotic the bacillus