The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-18
TALK WITH A CHOLERA EXPERT.
DR.. Hans VirchOw Tel What Germany Is Do.
ing to Suppress the Asiatic Pest.

NEW YORK, March I7.-Dr. Hans Vir-
chow, son of Prof. Rudolph Virchow, the
distinguished professor of anatomy ut the
University of Berlin, and himself one of
the best of Germany's cholera experts,
The Professor goes TO Chicago. where he is
to represent his governments as a commits
sioner of public education at the world 8
fair. Professor Virchow is of about the
medium height and has dark brown hair
and mustache. He speaks English fairly
we'll. The Professor received Q reporter
very cordially. When cholera was men,
toned he seemed to recognize an old foe
and began to talk freely.
1T is my opinion" said he, that you
Americans have less cause to fear that the
disease will be brought here again from
Germany this year than last. We are do
ing all we can to make it impossible for it
to break out at Hamburg and other cities
which IL devastated last autumn. At Ham,
burg We are building new ater works and
these will soon be completed. The city
water will be taken from O point much
higher mp the Elbs than 1t has been. Ex-
animation has disclosed the fact that the
water there Is pure and contains no germs
of disease. Care will be taken that il In
no way becomes infected, and after Its ar
rival in the city it will he subjected to
tiltering process which will, We hope. make
it impossible to do injury"
Then you do not agree with Dr.. Won
Pettenkotfer that the cholera was due. not
to bad water, but to other influences"
81 believe that the disease was brought
about by foul water taken from the river
Elbe and furnished to the citizens of Ham,
burg to drink. / have no criticism to pass
upon Won Pettenkotfer. He is welcome to
-, ha In
sewer for several cities along its banks.
and by the time the water was received in
the pipes at Hamburg it was absolutely
unfit to drink. That IL contained the germs
of the disease that caused so many deaths
i have not the slightest doubt. L say that
the water from which Hamburg will de-
rive It's new supply is pure. because it has
been tested. The CITY of Halle has been
supplied with il, and the death rate there
Is very small, comparatively"
lis the government taking measures to
maintain strict uuaTantlneI
'Yes. The experience of last year has been
q warning to us all, and you may depend
upon IL that the utmost precautions will be
taken. not only to Keep cholera ont of Ger
many, but TO prevent its introduction else
where as the resnlt of our own negligence.
We know more about cholera now than we
did six months ago. Ii men can learn any
ought. Whiis ' here i shall try and
ascertain what the United states
Is doing TO prevent the return of the pest.
l hope to meet several of your eminent
physicians. as we'll as your health officers.
and | have no doubt i shall learn from
them how they succeeded in warding Oft
the scourge so splendidly when it was at
your very door. 1 have not the time TO 90
into an extended discussion of all the
means of preventing and treating the dis
ease when it has seized patient. but will
say, In general terms, that if the poison
can be kept out of the stomach there is
very little If any danger of contracting
the disease. BE careful of what you eat.
See that IL IS properly cooked. Heat Is the
annihilator of the germ. you know"