Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-15
Physician on Anti-toxine.

LutJOT " GHG DUUHtT '-DEAK Clk.-
While the efforts of the BANNER to bring
about the introduction into Bennington
of the new product known as "Anti-to
inc" in the treatment of diphtheria, is
cOmmendable, showing the BANNER is
alive to the interests of our citizens,
yet would it not be well to go slowly in
this matter for little while, until the
efficacy of the new remedy is really
proven? Its action has only been noted
for comparatively short time, in fact,
much too short for physicians to judge
accurately with reference to it as cura-
tive agent in diphtheria, and be satisfied
that no evil effects will follow it's admin
istration. We cannot be certain of this
latter part yet, as i'll effects from a source
of this nature are quite as likely to be
remote as immediate, and all the more
serious.
The tendency of the medical profess
sion throughout the country is to avoid
haste in this matter and await the re-
suits of larger trial and broader exper-
fence before determining conclusions.
If "Antitoxine" is really all that is
claimed for it land sincerely hope it is),
it will certainly live and bee ono
a very valuable addition to
the PHYSICIANS armamentarium,
while on the other hand, if it turns
out to be a lf-brOther to "Koch's
Lymph" or "Brown-Sequard's Elixir of
Life over which there was quite as
much early enthusiasm manifested as in
the case of "Anti.toxine, land if we learn
this before having made extensive trials
upon the innocent anatOmies of our ct-
zeDs and their children, no harm will
have been done.
We have waited several thousand
years for 'Anti-tOxine' to be discover
ed, and am sure we can afford to wait
few weeks longer to determine whether
the great specific for diphtheria has
really been found
There are many eminent DIRECTORS TO
the new treatment, some of them claim
ing no cures have been proven as yet,
and go so far as to state that the serum
causes disorders of the kidneys and var
ious other troubles. At a recent meet
ing of the Medical Society of Munich"
Professors Buckner, Won Ranke and C.
Seitz presented a report on the subject,
and resolutions were passed by the soci.
ETY. to the effect that the time was not
yet ripe for a definite judgment as to the
value of the method. Prof. Won Berg
mann of Berlin, as eminent a medical
authority as there is in Europe, is con.
servatlve IN regard to the subject, and
believes it will be necessary to continue
trials over long period of time before
reliable opinions of its therapeutic value
can be given. DR.. Hansemann of Berlin,
expresses a like opinion; also Prof.
Schiemann.
The fact is. the treatment ought to be
left entirely to the hospitals for the pres
ent.
earnestly hope "Ant-toxine" may
PlOfO w 10 lhO SPCOluO lbI ulpuJneTld
we have long been searching for, but I'M
til we find it is so let us practice con-
servatism little and not turn our bod
les into repositories for the introduction
of an animal serum of whose nature, as
yet, we know but little. While the med
ical profession does not claim any spe-
cfc in the treatment of diphthelia, yet
the lives of countless diphtheritic pa
tients have been saved by means we have
already been using the past few years.
and until the usefulness and harmless
ness of "Anti-toxine" is proven by a
longer experience in its application, we
had better stick to the old ship.
Yours very truly, W. e. PUTNAM.