Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-03-14
vnlutiOn In Medicine.

discussion of the subject at the present
time. The unprofessional reader should
understand that Koch, mainly by reason
of his discovery of the cause of con-
sumption, has for several years been the
most prominent figure in medical
science that has been known in our gen
Grafton. His methods have been models
of scientific accuracy, and the authority
of his statements is now almost unques-
toned. In an article published by Koch
simultaneously in this country and in
Germany, on November IA, 1890, the de,
tails of the new treatment of several
forms of tuberculosis are given. In a
Berlin pap l., six days later, is descrlp-
ton of the mode of preparation of the
curative lymph.
The latter, in all probability, is sub
stantially correct; at least, no correction
or contradiction has thus far appeared,
and the method is essentially the one
that is employed in obtaining poisonous
products from other toxic bacilli The
method, as described, consists in placing
in an insulating apparatus pure cui,
ture of tubercle bacilli in gelatinized
beef broth. The apparatus is divided
into an upper and a lower portion by
diaphragm Of uDgalvanized porcelain,
the bacilli being placed in the upper
compartment. In the course of time
the gelatine liquefies, and liquid slowly
filters through the porcelain into the
lower compartment. This liquid is the
curative lymph. The lymph thus oh,
t,i t,; al oil
the tubercle ptomaine, if it exists, has
never before been found. Certain pto-
maines are obtained from microorgan-
isms by methods resembling that just
described. The toxic ptomaines are pro
duced by the toxic bacilli, and these are
supposed to be the direct cause OF
various diseases, the bacilli being toxic
only in 50 far as they produce these
potomanes As very many bacilli are
not toxic, many rtomaines have no
poisonous properties. Probably the
production of ptomaines is limited, and
in the case of toxic bacilli, those that
have produced ptomaines in the body
are thrown off, after having, to greater
or less extent, damaged the parts in
which they have been lodged; but the
organisms thus thrown off, if they find
lodgment in another body, may multi
ply, produce ptomaines again. and re-
peat the processes just described. 1t is
in this way that certain diseases are
propagatel hy contagior.
From the meager and disconnected
reports that come from Europe, it APP
pears that an analysis of the lymph fails
to reveal tie presence of a ptomaine
chemically considered; but the lymph
certainly contains one or more sub
stances capable of producing certain OF
the effects Il toxic ptomaines. How
ever, the chemistry of the ptomaines is
in its infancy and we must await exact
and elabora e researches before it will
be possible to decide upon the compo
sition and properties of the lymph oh
tanned by Koch. The statements III de
by Koch himself are of cha ter
fully to justify the profound impress
sion they have made upon the public as
well as uron the medical profession.
Koch's previous career entities his ut
terances to the most respectful con.
sideration. A few years since he dis
covered the cause of tuberculosis, and
this discovery at the present day has no
scientific opposition worthy of serious
consideration. He now states that he
probably has discovered cure for
tuberculosis.
can not but think that this also will
soon become an acknowledged fact l
can not resist the conviction that the
idea in the mind Of Koch which led to
the ,scovery of the curative lymph,
was that a toxic bacillus is capable of
producing a poison which would possibly
destroy the bacillus or at least limit its
activity and dislodge it from the system.
Probably the curative and active agent
in the lymph, was obtained from tuDer-
Gle bacili and produced by them. 1t is
now said that Koch regards his studies
in tuberculosis as complete, awaiting
only the results of experience with re-
gard to the permanency of the cure and
its application to advanced cases of
disease. 1t is also said that Koch is eX-
tending his experiments and is en-
deavoring to find cures for typhus and
typhoid, scarlet fever, measles, and
diphtheria. 1t may be that his line of re-
search will be in the direction of finding
a special poison. produced by micro
organisms peculiar to each infectious
disease, which will act upon these micro
organisms and the diseased parts as the
curative lymph has been found to act
upon tubercle bacilli and tuberculous
tissue.
1t is possible, in the light of what has
recently been accomplished by Koch,
that in the near future many curative
lymphs will be discovered, each pro-
duced by tie special microorganism of
a particular disease. 1t will then be not
too much to expect that these agents
will promptly arrest the different dis
eases to which they are applicable. For
example, the typhoid lymph, the diph-
theritic lymph, the lymph for measles,
that for scarlet fever, and so on, will
promptly arrest these diseases and save
patients from the degenerations and the
accidents which are liable to occur when
morbid processes are allowed to run
their course; and convaleScence will be
prompt, because the disease will not
have produced damage which can be
repaired only by time. Truly, this would
lie a revolution in medicine. and it now
seems to be impending. Austin
Flint, in The Forum for January.
Why Boys Are Mischievous.
a boy can not invent anything-he
can only initiate; and it is easier to inn
tate evil than good. You can initiate
war, but how are you going to initiate
peace? So II boy passes his leisure in