Arizona republican., 1895-12-24
CON2AGLON OF PHTH[SIS Is Denied by Doctor
 GOodfeIloW. A Remarkable Medical Ar
 gument. His View Is that the Dread Disease Is Not Communicable or
 infectious.

In the Examiner of November 25 was published an editorial headed "The Benevolent Bacillus" Thereir was criticized the views of a contrib utor to the "Dietetic and Hygienic Ga zette," who contends that the extirpa- tion of the bacillus tuberculosis is an error by reason of its being one of na- lures agents for natural selection. In my opinion the view that tuberculosis is such a factor cannot be controvert- ed by anyone not having a complete conception of the doctrine of evolution and to anyone having thorough un- derstanding of that doctrine in all ot its essentials and ramifcations the proposition so advanced (not new one by any means) must appear incon- trovertible; must be accepted as an automatic truth.
 That proposition then requires nc discussion. ....
 I wish, however, to criticize the ar gument advanced in support of the contention made against the views of the aforementioned writer.
 If I understand aright the proposi- tions advanced are these:
 Ffrst-Tuberculosi is due to a spe- cifc germ, therefore contagious or in- fectious
 Second Tuberculosis is preventib1e.
 Third-There is no tuberculous type of humanity. ft.
 The third proposition is not entirely dependent upon the others, but all are more or less interdependent.
 The most important of these propo- sitions are those averring that con- sumption or tuberculosis is due to a specific germ-t[he tubercle bacillus and therefore contagious and prevent fble.
 For one, in this day and generation, to deny the foregoing postulates seems temerity which Verges on audacity, but such negative proposition may be suc- cessfu1ly sustained and sustained, the hygienic and preventative measures urged by the 'sanitarians' and boards of health, supported by an injudicious following, lay and professional, will be seen to be inethical, cruel, inutile.
 In spite of the fact that the specific nature of consumption is asserted by Koch and many eminent ibacteriolOg- ists, the evidence-their own research es-completely fails to demonstrate either that the itubercle bacillus is the true cause of tuberculosis or that the tuberculosis is either contagious or infectious.
 Within the limits of this, a non- technical article, twill be an impossi- I, T foy to adduce the evidence in toto would certainly exceed the space which might be allowed; so simple reference only will be made the sources of informa- tion which are accessible to all Con sumption in all its forms is a disease which is as old if not older than the human race; certainly it antedates the medical science which now so hardly aff1rms it's simple nature cause and remedy. Is it possible o1 even probable that it can be so easily eradieated as current theories and as sertions imply? When Koch in 1882 discovered the bacillus tuberculosis and subsequently, that bacillus was found to be abundant in the eNpeetora- tion of corsumptives, and that innocu lation of animals with that bacillus either in cultures or in the expect oration. produced a form of disease wherein the bacillus fourished, tht nasty assumption was made tha' phthisis is caused by that bacillus be- ing taken into the system by inhalatior or absorption. Doubtless you will bt astonished to learn that beyond tht mere assertion, no evidence anywhere exists that consumption is communi cable from individual ito individual No authenticated cases, that is, nt cases which will stand the test of care ful examination and criticism, hav' ever been reported in which contagiol has been indubitably demonstrated Furthermore, there is not a presen writer upon consumption who doe more than admit the possibility O eonitagion in the disease or the eflcac. of preventive measures; and this in al countries wherein are special student of the disease. The most claimed i that the germ theory is 8 good work ing hypothesis With unimp portan exceptions among all those who hay studied and published the results 0 their studies in the etiology, treatmen and prevention of this disease not one but virtually subscribe to the conclusions of Aufrecht who says of the theory of contagior "and less iustifable are the reckles conclusions drawn by Koch concern ing the etio1ogical indications of tn tubercle baci,lus;" and of Powell, wh says: "Personal experience and ot servation convinces me that apa1 from artificial conditions, such a those brought about by experimer and in the ordinary circumstances ( 9fe-phthisis is not an infection malady." Dr. Williams also say' For the last twenty years I hay naref11Ilv Watched for cases of infet