New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-03
CONOEERLNG MORE DISEASES.

This last quarter Of the nineteenth century Is
evidently to he remembered a period OF re-
markabc activity and achievement i'll medical
science and especially in the prevention and
treatment of infectious diseases. The researches
Of w. Pasteur and their tangible results are al
ready historic and the discoveries of Professor
Koch have placed the world on the verge OF a
pathological and therapeutic revolution. Not III
our day, if ever, has any other essay IN the
healing art commanded interest comparable WITH
that aroused by these. And now attention IS
called to another series Of researches scarcely III
ferior in importance to those already named
In this last instance, the aim has been to fnd a
preventive against diphthcria, n scourge second
only to consumption itself, and tctanus, one OF the
dcadliest and most fcar-inspirng of all human Ills
What has actually been accomplished IN TINS
direction cannot vet be stated in positive detail
but enough is known Ia Justify hope that I'M
munty against the two maladcs named has
actually been secured.
The campaign against diphtheria and tetanus
has been conducted by two well-known scientists,
Drs Behring and ktasato. who have made pubic
some facts concerning IT in The Dcu'Sche
Mcdlcinische Wochcnschrift All that they per-
nit us 10 know al present. however. is that the
blood serum of animals which have been rendered
proof against tho action of the virus of those dis
eases can be- employed rs protective agent in
other animals How immunity is secured in the
first instance IN the animal from which the serum
IS obtained they do not tell as save that II rs by
Injecting under the skin small quantity of a
simple ana easily obtained inorganic chemical
substance They have not yet applied tins
treatment 10 human organisms. but only 10 lower
forms Of animal life; but reasoning from analogy
as m the ease, u Pastcur and Koch, there is every
reason 70 believe that If it Is ciectua in guinea
DIGS. rabbits. etc, 1t will also be- in men.
Al these researches. II is to be Observed, have
been conducted on the strength Of the bacillus
theory Of disease. The bacillus Of diphtheTla has
been pretty conclusivcly demonstrated By DIR.
I.oerler The crology Of tetanus has been en-
ycIop,d IN more obscurity, though Professor
Nico,lcr has strongly shown that that dread
malady is also caused by specific germ. In
this view Or, Vcrhovgcn and Bacrt, of Brussels,
coincide. declaring that tctanus j., an infectivc
and ,pec.nc disease. produced hy germs which
exist lot only IN t.c Affected organism, but IN the
soil and arc also found IN the harry coats of AMI
mnls IN the - ~ hay etc This theory IS Secur-
inc wide acceptance II il shall be established as
true. a new system 81 therapeutics in tetanus must
prevail under which. II may well be- hoped. that
disease will largely lose IT'S deadlincss. knowl-
edge Of the nature and cause of disease Is half
tbe battle IN curing or preventing H. - the
discovery and dcrnonsi ration Of the bacic origin
Of many Of the sraycst malades hctokcn for the
healing art a development concerning which no
expectations are eNtrayagant