The record-union., 1891-03-23
FURTHER PROGRESS IN MEDICAL
DISCOVERY.

The microbe theory, it would seem, is
likely to be accepted as applicable in cure
for all manner of diseases. We have now
the announcement of DIR. Bordas, in La
Medicine ModeTae, Of the results Of some
of his researches in acute articular rheu-
matism, which in his opinion tend to
show that the cause of that disease is a
pathogenic micro-organism specific in
character. He reports that he has been
able to isolate and cultivate a microbe
which, when injected into the carotid
artery of rabbit, engendered an infam-
nation of the endocardium with vegeta-
tiors upon the valves. He believes that
acute articular rheumatism with its COM
plications will be proved to be disease
produced by microbes analogous in their
production, for example, to the Mscrococ-
cats pyoge1aes, and he is convinced that the
organism Investigated by him will be
found by others to be the specific germ of
that disease. The investigation was con-
Quoted under the supervision of NJ. Ger
main See, and will undoubtedly stimulate
parallel researches in other laboratories.
These, if confirmatory," says the New
York Medical Journal, Twill be import
ant as an advance, not only in astrological,
but in therapeutical results" And that
journal adds:
It is only year or two since the opprobrium
was felt by nearly every thoughtful practi-
toner when the question arose how it was
that quinine cured maarial fever; and now
this research no longer rankles in the mind
since the laboratory work of Laveran has
shown that the micro-organism of malaria is
destroyed by quinine in his test experiments;
and thus the old answer of many ''green-
rooms" that quinine is competent to check
malarial fevers by reason of the profound i'm
preston 1t makes upon nerve centers, is done
away with.
Ifthe discovery of Bordas shall prove
to be genuine, and to rest on a sound
basis, there is no reason why the theory
advanced by the Medical Journal as a
mere speculation may not prove to be
truth, that is, that the reason salicylic
acic and the salicylates have been so eff
cacious in rheumatism, is because they
antagonize the rheumatic enemy precisely
as quinine has been discovered by Lay
eran to be the enemy of the micro-organ-
ism of malaria.
Who knows then, but that Bordas'
other experiments may speedily bring
about the cultivation of lymph that will
prove the perfect cure, the absolute spe-
cific for rheumatism? In this age of
wonders is it too much to indulge in such
speculation? If he progresses that far a
blessing will be conferred upon mankind
second to no other that medical and scien-
tific research has yet evolved.
Upon the heels of this new discovery,
or rather the entry upon the beginning of
discovery, comes a report that Bern
heim's experiments in the treatment of
tuberculosis by TRANSMISSION of blood from
goat, are meeting with a fair measure of
success. The medical scientist has not
thus far claimed that cures can be effected,
but he is confident that by his treatment
hemorrhage is cured, and such patients
as he has treated who have diseased lungs,
have shown Improvement, gaining in
strength, securing sleep, and losing the
more distressing symptoms. He recently
presented before the French faculty eight
patients whose cases We're of the most
desperate order, but who, under the
TRANSMISSION treatment, had gained in
weight, strength and general vigor, and
whose coughs had almost ceased, while
insomnia had wholly disappeared,