Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-18
SCOURGEs NO LONGER.
Dfphthcria and Typhoid Germs Killed
by ROentSen Rays.

Dfphthcria and Typhoid Germs Killed
by ROentSen Rays.
A Chicago special to the New York Jour-
nal. sent yesterday, says:
Prof. H. P. Pratt and Prof Hugo Wight
man now announce to the world that diph-
liberia and typhoid are absolutely killed by
the Roentgen ray. This statement is made
without reserve.
The decision was reached last evening In
the laboratory. when the last of the germs
which had been exposed to the ray failed
to show signs of life under the microscope,
the deadly bacilli remaining idle and in
active in the midst of the best and most
tempting imitation of human tissue.
Cholera Is apparently dead. The bacilli
have not stirred since the shock they were
given eight days ago. The scientists, how
this case. fearing that possibly the crea-
ton of acid in the tube may have stunned
the germs. and that they might recover If
placed if a new culture.
tuberculosis Is also weakened. Its bac-
terra have not propagated since the treat
ment, but Prof. Wightman holds the final
decision until ten more days have elapsed.
The influenza, CHAMBERS, pneumonia and
anthrax bacilla have remained dormant,
but their condition proves that the theory
is right and that the germs only live be-
cause the experiment was faulty in some of
the delicate details. A critical and elabor-
change, and 1t was evident that the force
had acted upon the artificial tissue. 1t is
expected that free oxygen was made, and
an acid created exactly as would take place
in the human body. This acid either kills
the germs or stupefes them. They will
now be tranSplanted.
The two experimenters are risking their
professional reputation by the prophecy
that not one Of the four groups Will ever
be able to recover. They are certain of the
effect on the diphtheria, confident concern
ing the other three.
To Experiment on a Pig.
This wonderful discovery will now be
tried upon living creatures. A guinea pig
has been inoculated with the germs of
tuberculosis. 1t was served with a dose
which would put it into a grave in four
weeks. The consumption germs will be al
lowed to progress half this time and the
disease will be encouraged to become Of the
most malignant form.
The guinea pig will then be placed under
the strange and mysterious influence of the
Y rays, and the scientists have no doubt
that it will come out within two weeks q
sound and fat guinea pig.
The Diphtheritic Germs.
Prof. Pratt has saved the original tubes
containing the slain diphtheritlc germs.
The little glass will be preserved as a his
torical curiosity, since from it came the re-
suit which is most valuable to the human
race of any recorded this decade. This
tube. laden with diphtheria, was exposed to
the ray for two hours. 1t contained three
separate colonies of germs. The colony
directly under the Crookes tubes was slain
outright, the massacre being complete to
the smallest member. while the two other
colonies. one at either end of the tube,
were fatally hurt. They were on the edges
of the force. and the little life left them did
not manifest itself until yesterday, ten
days after the application.
The physicians declare that were this to
happen in an actual case of a living pa
tient, the invigorated cells and the ad-
ministration of stimulants to the tissues
would effect a cure. The stunned bacilli
would be driven out or consumed.