The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-01
REVOLUTION IN SURGERY
Return OF an Eminent Physician From
Eurone.

EUROPE
The interest recently aroused as to the great
medical advancement made in Europe has had
the effect OF sending many American physicians
on tour OF inyestiSation for themselves. Among
THESE Is Dr. Luke Robinson, the eminent physi-
cianinchiei OF St Mary's hospital, San Fran
cisco. He visited Berlin, Leipsic, Dresden,
London and Paris. The most important and
substantial reform he found is that in all the
hospitals of England, Germany and Austria and
most OF those in France, asepsis has superseded
antisepsis in the treatment of wounds. "Here-
toiore, he says, "antisepties, known under the
general name OF listerine dressings, have been
used Now, instead, they heat the dressings
and instruments and the room in which the
operation IS peri TO degree that kills all
germs All antiseptics are more less irritat-
ing TO wounds, and by asepsis this Objectionable
feature is eliminated from the case. When the
room is scrupulously clean and heated, the in
struments, appliances and dressings properly
treated by heat, the wound Is not aggravated by
any irritating substances in the way OF autisep-
tics. It is a step far in advance.
''one of the chief objects of my visit, outside
OF genealogical surgery, was to inquire. into
Koth's remedy and method of treatment for the
cure of consumption. am sorry to say that the
treatment Is regarded in Europe as failure
All of the hospitals in Europe, except one in
Berlin, have abandoned the use OF the lymph,
and in this one hospital it is used only in SCI
doses / believe, however, Koch is right in
theory, but the publication of his treatment was
very premature and, by the way, was not in
tended by him. He had not proceeded far
enough to give his theory and treatment to the
world, and he is satisfied, we are, that the ex-
periments made, in many cases by totally unfit
persons, resulted in harm Koch is still expert
menting, and believe some day, If he lives, If
not, someone else, following out his theory, viii
find cure for consumption"
SLOW about Pasteur and his cure for hydro
phobia?'
swell. to tell the truth, didn't see Pasteur
this time, although he is my intimate friend. I
have known him for eight or ten years. His
friends say his treatment is a success; his
enemies say just the reverse, and there you are.
Icannot speak concerning it,"
"How do the hospitals OF Europe and America
compare, doctor?
s'Well," replied DR.. Robinson, musingly,
Honestly, now, laying aside all feeling as an
American, think we have just as good hospi-
tails in New York as any in Europe. As said q
moment ago, owing to the surgeons having SUI
perior hospital privileges in Europe there is
constantly going on there new work in surgery.
For all that there are few surgeons in Europe
that have outstripped their American contem-
poraries."
''Whom do you consider the greatest surgeon
in Europe7"
San answer to that question must be ex-
planned. consider Professor Martin, of Berlin,
to be, beyond question, the greatest abdominal
surgeon in the world His work is marvellous,
marvellous. He is rapid, exceedingly rapid, and
eminently successful. Then there is Bergman,
the great surgeon-general of the German army,
who has clinique in Berlin. He is general
surgeon-Martin making gynecology and abdom-
inal surgery speciality. Both are great men,"