St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-16

DR.. Nelson Says u Word on the
Ever New Koch Lymph Matter.

Ever New Koch Lymph Matter.
Editor of the Globe.
Day before yesterday / felt myself
called upon to ask the question: "Who
is this man Divide Martel, and what
right has he to express an opinion about
the Koch method?" His reply in yes
terday's GLOBE but confirms my opin-
ion that he has no personal knowledge
of the matter under discussion. How
ever much we may be under obliga-
tons TO newspapers for diSsem-
ination of information, all scien-
tiiic men we'll know that newspaper re-
ports only are hardly sufficient basis
upon which to found scientific opinia IL
upon matter of so vast imports :e.
Mr.. Martel's scientific battery that he
brings to bear upon DIR. Koch and his
lymph treatment, which both have been
subjected to the criticism of the whole
scientific world, consists of some quota
tons from unknown sOurces-OpinionS
of unknown neutrality-suspicious. in pos
session of the same brilliant qualitica-
tions as Mr.. Martel himself. But let us
come down to facts.
Goessler has concluded to back out
from his position advocating the advis-
ability OF the German government hav-
ing absolute control of the manufacture
of the lymph, and that disparaging opin-
ion from DR.. Virchow were instru-
mental in bringing him to this con-
cluSion. This has no foundation i'm
fact. What is contained in the cable
from England of Jan. 10, quoted by Mr..
Martel, was decided Dec. 90, while |
happened to be still in Berlin.
The German government found itself
confronted by very difficult and
embarrassing problem. Dr. Koch wa {
anxious to give the nature of the rem
edy to the world, so as to relieve him,
self of all opportunities and clamoringS
and at the same time satisfy a just de-
mand OF science. The German govern
ment and many Of DIR. Koch'S fellow
scientists saw many dangers from a
premature announcement OF such a
nature and concluded to temporarily
keep the secret. When this, neverthe-
less, has been done, it is because
the conclusion has been reached that
the interests of the world at large
can best be served in that way
and because the absolute control of the
government in the premises would bring
about difficult complications and incon-
fChiCiOCo, oIiA iiOO 40 4i1i' 1uol UCi WOuht
have it appear, because they have lost
confidence in the efficacy of the remedy.
The medical journals of Europe are full
of exhaustive reports tending to
strengthen and increase the universal
confidence in this discovery, and DR..
Koch himself in his report OF yesterday,
after having made the most thorough
observations and study of results OBJ
tanned up to the present time. reiterateS
everything he claims for the remedy as
more than justified.
Mr.. Martel seems to look upon my
claim to be in possession of the only
genuine lymph ever brought to any
Northwestern state as questionable,
and intimateS that DR.. Dedolph in St.
Paul is in possession of some. DR.. De-
dolph has informed me in person that
this is not so, matter that Mr.. Martel
might have been able to inform himself
about before making public state
ment. Another proof of his reliability
and accuracy in this matter-Dr. Mar
tel aught certainly by this time have
the good grace to admit that his accuSa-
tons of prematureneSS came home TO
roost. He has made but sorry figure
in thus entering the lists, and thrusting
his lance against the greatest conqueror
of the world Of to-day. With sincere
pity and cordial sympathy with his
valiant, but inexperienced knight, we
only can say. Sancta simplicitas."
ToRD NELSON.
MinnaanoliS Ian IL