The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-26
DOOM or CONSUMPTION.
Chicago Scientists Experimenting With
the Wonderful y Rays.

CHICAGO. April %. -Consumption is
dead. Dlphtheria was killed outright.
Typhoid was annihilated. Cholera has
been stunned for fourteen days. Pneu-
monia was barely able to resume its
work. Anthrax and CHAMBERS escaped
with serious injury. influenza missed
slaughter by its position under the tube.
TINS Is the latest bulletin from the Ia
bOratOry OF Professors Pratt and wight
man, who announced 10 the world that
the kOentgen ray IS the solution or the
germ scOulgc.
The last and final efforts TO revive the
exposed colonies OF germs have LETT -FOUR
stone dead. The Investigators make this
authoritative declaration. Ihey claim
that every possible scientific precautlOn
was taken that there might De no posi-
bic reason for their own deception. They
are convinced OF the success oil the ilrst
Experiment Win the bdcilli in test tubes.
1ney started this morning in the labora-
tory new series OF trials, which they IN
sist VIII prove or GisprOYe the possible
use OF the discovery IN actual practice.
They refuse 10 predict that the same
ends may be obtained by subJecting hui
man beings 10 the same treatment hold
lhg TINS assertion until the outcome OF
the experiments now under way IAey
believe the first triumph will be surpassed
by a second. Iney are convinced as 10
the death OF the four sorts OF bacilli in
the nrst trial OF eight yarietes-hoDeful
and confident that they VIII be able 10
save the lives Of TWO guinea pigs inOcu-
lated with the germs of consumption
taken rom the lungs Of man who
viii die within three weeks.
Professor Wightman picked the two
strongest and most healthy animals IN
the herd which he keeps for the sake OF
science. lie went ~ the room OF the
dying man the night before and secured
the poison. a single drop had enough
activity 10 bring down Il man, provided
his system was predlspOsed 10 the action
OF the bacteria. Half the deadly stun
was held IN one tube as a mixture. The
rest was put through a drying process
ana became as powder. There was alb
sOlutely no chance that the poison had
been lessened of its deadly effect in the
preparation, and each tube had enough
OF II 10 start a strong man on the down
road. 1hey were cOrked with cotton, and
the pigs were prepared for incubation.
Professor Wightman believed that
certain white pig offered that opportunity
10 prove that the ROentgen-ray theory
was wrong. The temperature OF the ami
NAL was taken as he was lifted on the
cage. His weight was SO grammes.
These facts win be essential later on,
when IL VIII be necessary 10 determine
10 what extent the disease has progressed.
An examination Will be made each day,
and a correct and full record kept OF the
development OF the symptoms OF tuber-
culOsls. 1t Is considered most essential
By the operators 70 prove accurately that
tic bAAifd -4E WIS larry on tue way
10 an untimely end before the ray shall
DO passed through him. They do not
want any suspicion that the case tested
was one Of incipient stages and not ag
gravated.
This patient was then placed on the
operating table. His fur was cut OF just
over the heart. and the skin was washed
with bichloride OF mercury % prevent
any possible stray microbe OF another
class than tuberculosis from creeping into
the puncture. The incis-On was made,
and slowly the germs were driven into
the flesh and blood. a big bulge appear
ed under the hide, and when nearly a
spoonful mad been started into the circu-
lati0n the instrument was Withdrawn.
The little patients heart worked rapidly
under the pain and excitement and in
fifteen minutes all the poisonous fluid
had been taken by the lungs and dis
tributed over the body. HIS feet were
loosened, and after much pcttlng in the
hands OF scientists he was ..aced in "A
new pen. where he found the best or
viands and drinks as a reward for his
courage.
The black pig. the other subject. was
exposed as much as the human
race Is, save for addition OF laboratory
methods. His weight AT the beginning
was Gs2 grammes. a special glass box
had been made for his case. IL was air
tight save through tubes. IL was ar
ranged that he should iuhale nothing but
the disease-laden atmosphere
cleansed OF every other germ but the
tuberculosis. An air-pump drove the air
OF the room into bottle nlled with water
Ii was said that this caught all the out
side bacilli. and the air which came from
the outlet tube was practically free from
germs. This passed into the glass box
and into dish containing the bacilli. In
state OF powder The microscopic partl-
cles were put into circulation.
a tube in the opposite side OF the box
Is arranged 10 carry of the deadly air.
which is in turn passed through water
TO protect the operators from the aiiiic-
ton which they are grating upon the
animal. The second pig had 10 inhale
the bacilli until this evening. a half
day from the time he was put in the
box. The two doctors hope he viii be
close enough 10 death within two weeks
TO be placed under the influence OF the
Roentgen ray. They expect the two pigs
will be well and sound within four weeks.
philadelphia Press.