The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-13
Dr. Koch's ParatoIoid.

Before the New York Academy of Medicine
during the present month accounts OF hospi-
tai use of KOch's paratolod were given by
several physicians and surgeons. About the
same time eminent physicians of Phlladel-
pha discussed the same questions. There
was one particular feature Of the discussion
evoked by the comments. Some physicians
were unable TO say anything particularly ia
vorable regarding the alleged specific;
others spoke mildly of its good effect
in certain cases; but with hardly an
exception all admitted that the high hopes
which had been at first entertained regarding
the efficacy of paratoloid as a cure for the
ravages of consumption must be doomed TO
disappointment. ParatolOid may cure or help
certain forms of pEthislc, but lt certainly can
not be accepted a. % sure remedy for tubercu-
losis or kindred diseases. Even rs an
aid to diagnosis its worth IL now ser-
ousIy questioned while its use IN
many cases has been attended with some
danger and moro than once with positive IN
Jury 10 the patient. The claims OF Nirch0w.
that the use of the Koch ptomaine. play dis
perse the bacilli into tissues that were preyl-
Ously sound and unimpaired have been &C
cepted as correct by many physicians. Alto
gether the reaction IN this country against
the general use of paratoioid as a specific
against pulmonary complaints has been so
marked and strong during the last few weeks
that it seems certain that It's use wall
be discontinued in many hospitals whore
it was for q time employed. Inc
announcement that the new remedav has
proven insufficient TO meet the dread disease
which many hoped it would cure may cause
the belief that Dr. Koch was something OF an
impostor: but such charge would be em-
inently unjust to man who has done much
for the advancement of medical science. The
inference that Dr. Koch ever claimed for his
lymph or ptomaine the properties which ru-
,I.t., for Ba
lust In his search for remedy against tt-
berculoss he devised the fluid which IS
known as paratoloid, and while he hoped that
its use might prove its efficacy he was careful
TO assert that it's properties had not been
clearly demonstrated. Experiments seem To
have shown that its use as remedial agent
must be confined TO the treatment OF phthisical
cases at present but that fact by no
means proves DR.. KOch's discoveries
TO DO of little importance. On the con-
trary, tho discovery and propagation OF the
tuberculosis bacillus. as carried on by Dr.
Koch, were works whose importance must
still be acknowledged. While 1t may not fall
10 the lot of DR.. Koch himself 10 give to the
world the desired remedy his work has rem
dered it possible that at some date IN the
future a successor working in tho same line
and aided by the discoveries OF his. prede-
cessOr may achieve the result at which Dr.
Koch aimed. The discovery of electricity
did not Immediately reyoluti0nlze the world.
but made possible at later date the tele-
graph and telephone. As Morse and Edison
owed their success partly TO the discoveries
and achievements of Nolta and the earlier ex-
perimenters in electricity, so the medical
science of the future will owe much 20 such
men as Dr. Koch whose discoveries are not
only notable in themselves. but may lead to
results which he has not himself achieved
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