The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-12-19
COMMON SENSE.
DR.. Alvarez Explains His Views
Through a Contemporary

/
which the profession ia criticized for
falling to agree on the question of
the existence OF the plague ia our
city. 1t s only fair that few words
should be said as to the reasons for
the difference OF opinion alluded to
above. The Star, continuing, says:
ut is thousand pities that the con-
dition OF medical science is such
that one set of them (doctors) de-
clare that we have had plague and
another set is quite certain that it
does not know whether we have the
plague or not"
Allow me to say in defense of my
profession that the Medical Associa
ton refuse to endorse the action OF
the Board of Health, after hearing
the following evidences:
1t is claimed that on the 18th day
of November we had the first case
and that the disease did not spread
although no precautions whatever
we're taken. This statement seems
improbable, If you consider that it
occurred ia one of the filthy and
oyercrowded places OF Honolulu.
The next case was reported one
month later, and DR.. McGrew, who
attended him, stated that he had no
symptoms OF plague. The postmor-
tenn examination was made in the
absence OF DR.. McGrew, who was
not invited to be present, aud the
liver and lungs did not show the
condition found usually in plague;
that lie, the lungs did not show small
areas of pneumonia, and the liver
WAS smooth instead of covered with
nodules OF necrosed tissue.
1t is claimed, however, that germs
were found which resemble in ap-
pearance those of black plague but
the incubation of one Guinea pig
with these germs without causing
it's death in from ten to sixty hours,
which is the usual time these ami
mails live after incubation with the
germs OF plague, seems to prove con-
clusively that said germs we're not
those of the plague. The subse-
quent death of the animal or ami
mails does not alter the value of this
proof All Guinea pigs kept by me
in cages we're short lived, and all
the rats and mice used in the labor
atory for experimental purposes died
within three weeks Of their con6ne-
ment in a cage.
1t is seen, then, that little or no
Importance can BIZ attached to the
death of the one Guinea pig inocu-
lated with the supposed germs of
the plague after he had survived the
usual period for Guinea pigs. This
incubation of one Guinea pig with
out keeping at least another one as
a control seems very ridiculous from
a archaeological standpoint. The
statement made by the bacteria
logist that il thu germs had not kill
ed the one pig the cause would be
found in the di-infectant possibly
left in his syringe acting on the
germs and killing thsm bsfore they
reached the Guinea piR Is it
wonder that the physicians did not
place due confidence 10 such expert
ments2
Such experiments are carried on
everywhere, not with one animal
but with one dozen, always keeping
an equal number as controls which
are not inoculated.
Again, in a case Of go much i'm
portsnce several rodents shonld
have been inocuI ated from the fluid
in the sack containing the heart and
several from the spleen, liver, etc,
with due precautions against con
tamination from other germs.
These facts and others. which l
omit Tor lack OF time, explain the
want eff confidence shown by some
physicians in tae findings OF the
Board of Health.
l.. f. ALVAREZ.