The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-29
LATEST HERO OF PARIsIANs.
A Sketch OF DIR. ROux, the Inventor OF
the Diphtheria Cure.

Paris Letter In Philadelphia Times.
DR.. Roux has been the assistant of Pas
who has pushed so far az researches re-
lating TO microbes and vaccinating against
them, is only a chemist. When he came
to study human diseases with his peculiar
methods Ii was necessary that he should
have some trained physician with him.
He hppl,ed to sufplan' who was f men az
the faculty of medicine in Paris. He chose
the young DR.. Roux. who was but an un-
Fortunately the student was Of the stamp
of Pasteur himself. He is capable of work.
ing twelve or thirteen hours a day week
after week, and he is as curious TO Know
as he is keen in understanding the results
of his observations. He has had a great
deal to do with all of Pasteur's discover
that against ~hydrophobia- Tn discovery
of the special poison of the. microbe of
diphtheria and Group was made by a Ger
man professor of Berlin. but he was unable
to reduce it to a method of practical vac
c~ination. 1t is this which has occupied DR..
Roux for the last two years. The 900 doc
tors assembled together in Buda-Pesthf from
all parts of the world seemed TO believe
that he has at least been partially success
full. This is already a great deal in the
disease which has been called the world
over the terror of mothers.
In personal appearance DR.. Roux resem-
bles an EngHsh Protestant minister more
than a French doctor. He is tall, thin, with
b-o~.hair. and a small head. from which
always dressed with the utmost s~oberness.
wearing no ornament but the rosette OF
officer of the Legion of Honor, which was
given him at the jubilee of Pasteur him.
self. He looks on strangers with distrust,
and the mention that one is a journalist
is sufficient for him to wrap himself up in
icy silence. Some of the Paris Journalists
have even had a harsher experience at his
hands. They have at least learned that the
power of his tongue Is as great as that or
his knives.
He belongs TO the vigorous peasant race
of Auvergne, where he was the Schoolmate
of NJ. Dupuy, the present Prime Minister
OF France. The latter Is full-faced. jovlal
contrast between the two men, but they
are always great friends. DIR. Roux has
never married, being espoused to his SCI
ence. He lives with his widowed sister.
to whose children he gives a parents at
tention. Wonders are also told OF his
charity. 1t is certain that he never tells
of Ii himself-nor apparently or much else
that comes his way until ii Is ready TO be
of some use.
All last winter his daily visits to the chill
dreus hospitals were enough TO exhaust the
strength of one man. But he was often
seen in the remote quarters of Paris at the
bedside OF little ones down with the terrible
disease. Sometimes he has passed the whole
night watching them. When the poor par.
ents in the morning asked what they could
give him., the famous physician darted out
of the door and disappeared as IL afraid OF
their thanks. This disinterestedness. which
he carries TO an extraordinary degree. Is
known to all his associates of the institute
He is now the head of the service, but as
the institute is always In want OF funds he
is allotted him. His friends say that he be-
longs TO another age; that he knows MOTH
ing OF money an ana cares cares isss;aarnsa tnat ne
science and humanity. Among his other
good qualities is an absolute deyotedness TO
the person OF Pasteur. whom he rightly con-
bicyc,ists in Paris, and arrives each morn
ing at the institute on his wheel.