Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1891-03-13
The Constitution Of the Koch Lymph
Disclosed.


ment by DR.. Koch OF the composition
OF his famous lymph. Conservative
as ever i'll his estimate of it's worth,
he claims for it distinct value as a re-
agent for testing the existence of tu-
bercular disease. As a remedy for
disease OF this nature he attributes to
it proved efficacy, particularly in
earlier stages OF the disease. He an
nounces also that he proposes to see
if his discovery cannot be followed up,
80 as to lead analogous treatment for
other diseases.
The discovery was based on obser-
walton OF the effects of injection OF
pure cultivation of tubercle bacilliup-
on animals affected with tubercles as
upon animals in good health. A heal
thy guinea pig thus inoculated dies.
The wound caused by the incubation
closes with a sticky matter, shows
signs Of healing, but after tep days or
two weeks q hard nobule appears,
which developes into an ulcerating
sore, and death ensues. But if the
animal inoculated already has tuber-
culosis, no nodule forms in the injec-
ton wound. 1t hardens, turns dark,
and eventually piece falls off, leav-
ing g. flat liberation that soon heals.
The same result follows the injection
OF the bacilli cultivation, whether the
bacilli are alive or dead. It is the
effect probably of decomposition
product or extract of the dead bacilli,
but not the life action of the bacilli
themselves. A prolonged application
OF @ low heat, the temperature of boil
ing water, and certain chemicals are
alike fatal to the bacilli in the culti-
vation.
The next point ascertaned referred
to the action OF the dilute cultivation
with killed bacilli. This was found to
be practically without action on
healthy animals, but of very powerful
action on those already affected. The
tubercular reaction, which has been
observed and described so often, was
next discovered. The injected tuber-
culosed animal was filled by a dose
that a healthy animal was Indifferent
to. By great dilutlon of the fluid be-
fore injection, death was avoided and
only extended necrosis of the Tissue
near the place OF incubation was OBJ
tained. Byextreme dilution the wound
produced at the point of injection af-
ter a few days suppuratlon became
covered, and the lymphatic glands be-
came reduced from their swollen con-
dition, and q generally better condi-
tion followed.
Mr.. Knoch, from his studies, became
convinced that the action was due to
matter extracted from the dead bacilli.
He, therefore, sought for solvent,
and processes for preparing q solution.
AS solvent he adopted a fifty per cent
solution OF glycerine. The processes
he eventually chose he does not di-
vulge.
The essential constituent he thinks
is a derivative of the albuminous
bodies. He thinks that it acts by un-
fitting the bodily tissue from sustain
ing the life of bacilli. The bacilll are
killed in the patient by q product OF
the dead bodies of their own species,
as a man might be killed by cadav-
eric alkaloid, and as surgeons are kill
ed by blood poisoning from wounds
lnflicting while dissecting corpses. The
death OF a patient is due to necrosis
Of the tissue. This necrotized
tissue soon becomes unfit for propa-
cation of the bacillus. By injection
with lymph the same condition OF un-
fitness is Impaired to the whole body
without accompanying necrosis, un-
less the dose is too large.
The effective constituent of the
lymph can be precipitated by alcohol,
and obtained mixed with other mat
ter as white or colored powder. In
the glycerine extract it is estimated to
be present in fractions of one per cent.
As diluted the quantity injected is al.
most inappreciable. Its potency up.
on affected organisms is far beyond
that of the most powerful known
drugs, when the infinitesimal amounts
added, and the intense reaction pro
duced in thesystem, is considered. A
yet no large doses have been tried
The experiments. on guinea pigs have
proved them to be fatal.-Scientifit
American.