Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-21
DIR. PAINTER IS HOME.
What the Famous Koch Lymph Pa
tient Says of the Experiment.
HEALMOST DIED ON THE WAYOvER.
1t Only Plays Hide-and-Seek Game With
the Subtle Disease.
DOESN'T HAVE ANY USE FOR THE CURE

Ut. Edwin L. Painter, OF Oakland, VINO
was the first American to hurry to Berlin
after the announcement of Dr. Koch's dis.
covery of cure for consumption, returned
to Pittsburg yesterday, and with his wife Is
now stopping at tine East End Hotel. The
doctor nnhesitatingly pronounces the Koch
lymph failure 1t has utterly failed to
cure him, and he has no confidence what
ever in it.
A year ago to-day DR.. Painter left Pitts
burg to investigate the Koch cure. He did
not, as it was generally supposed, hurry
abroad for treatment He went, as he says
himself, to investigate the discovery, and if
he found it of value. to bring it to America
to be introduced into his practice. DR.
Painter and DR.. Koch were college mates,
and the Pittsburger felt confident
that he could get promptly into
the secret. He had communicated with
each and had received encouragement. He
left here positive that he would soon return
and would bring back tidings of great joy
to the vast army of people suffering from
tive disappointment.
When three DAYS out from New York DR..
Painter fell sick. He had been in good
health before his leaving, but sudden all
ment of the back prostrated him, and when
he arrived at the Koch Hospital at
Berlin he was in his own mind
hopelessly sick. The doctor says that had
he not received the greatest possible care
during the voyage, and after his arrival at
the hospital, he could not have pulled
through. He was treated, he saws, with
the greatest possible care, and for the atten-
tion paid him while confined in the hos
pital he will always hold the famous DR..
Koch in kindly remembrance.
Was Treated Just Like q Patient.
He remained in the hospital for several
months, and twas treated just as the con-
sumptive patients are treated. The lymph
was injected into his back from two incis-
ions on either side of his backbone. The
incisions have never healed, and both are
still discharging. There is, the doctor saws,
a noticeable improvement in the quality of
pus emitted.
DR.. Painter returned to America on july
10. He went at once to the home of his
parents at Worcester, Mass, where he re-
Pittsburg.
Last night the doctor was surrounded by
friends at his hotel. He was enjoying a
lively talk when a DISPATCH reporter
called. To all appearance he is in robust
health. He is a man of medium size and of
pleasant address. He is a pleasant, easy
talker. His round. we'll shaped and pleasant
face is covered with a heavy growth of
whiskers. His large, bright eyes fairly
glow when he talks. Since returning to
America the doctor has gained ten pounds
and he has gained 40 pounds since leaving
the hospital in Berlin.
s'Give me your candid opinion of Dr.
Koch's cure" was asked the doctor.
He smiled and hesitated and then said:
ultimately DR.. Koch will have something,
but to-day ] would not recommend his
treatment nor would put his lymph into
the backs of my friends. His treatment
did me no good. Unlike most physicians I
have tried the medicine, which had hoped
to be able to prescribe and cannot advise
its use."
'Did you bring any of the lymph with
you?"
Has No Use for the Lymph.
'sNo. could not handlei it conscientious
ly and did not think it worth while to
bring any of it with me- Another physi-
clan who returned from Berlin with me
brought a bottle of the lymph. He intend
ed taking it with him to his Western
home.'
"Tell me of your treatment while at the
Berlin Hospital"
II was treated just as the consumptlve
patients. 1 had all the care and attention
possible to give ME, and was visited every
day by 20 or more American physicians,
who watched nv case with rare attention