The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1899-02-04

"Cocci, spherical, ""Spirillae, spiral"
Though almost inflnitessimal the fer
tility Of the soil, all fermentation and
putrifaction is due to their activity.
Through their agency inorganic mat
ter is transformed into organic and
roganic resolves itself into elements.
The pathological or disease pro-
ducing germs are those which, when
introduced under favoring conditions
into the system, reproduce them
selves and in their growth generate
ptomaines or toxins posins akin to
the vegetable alkaloids. IF the con-
ditions are not favorable the disease
germ is harmless.
"In 1892, during an epidemic Of
cholera in Hamburg, a New York
paper sent to that city correspon-
dent who nursed the cholera
patients, slept In the room with
them and drank water contain
ing the cholera spirilli without con
tracing the disease. His immunity
is to be accounted for by perfect
health and total absence of fear. Fear
Is Il predisposing cause of cholera,
yellow fever and similar diseases"
Any one doubling this last state
ment of the DOCTORS has only to con-
slider the physical effects Of fear-the
disturbance Of the normal functions of
every organ-unnatural depression
or excitatiOn of nerve centers. Yet
more important still fear partially or
totally paralyzes the will power,
which is the greatest safeguard to
physical. mental or moral sanity.
1t Is not those who tremble nor who
fold their hands and whine who re-
sist either disease or temptation.
"Diathesis"Dr. Keller defined as an
inherited tendency to disease. He
did not believe that consumption, o
other so-called hereditary diseases,
were directly transmitted from par
ent to child, but only suitable sol or
predispOsiti0n to the disease. And
since this predisposition can be COM
batted and often overcome, the
theory should bring encouragement,
with grave sense of responsibility
to the parents Of children in families
where consumption or other so-called
hereditary diseases are common.
"TO. day child born of a family
where rheumatism is a common dis
ease and suffering from recurring
sore throat, st. Vitus dance, cry
themia or Inflammation of the heart,
must be treated for the rheumatic
diathesis, for these are the symptoms
of that which is latent"
DIR. Keller next spoke of acquired
susceptibility to disease, (which is
the result of disobedience to the laws
of hygiene. Those who, by the neg
lect of water, sunlight, pure air and
exercise have allowed the pores OF
the skin to become inactive, the
blood poor, the muscles lax, or who
have dissipated nerve energy in frie-
ton or over excitement are the first
and easy victims of disease"
In conclusion, passing beyond mere
m ,terial conditions, the doctor spoke
OF the mission of pain to warn, incite
and restrain and the greater mission
Of pleasure. Quoting from Prof.
Hutchinson, he declared 'joy is the
sunshine of the soul, and, like all
other sunshine, Il most powerful
antiseptic, staunch friend of life
and deadly enemy of fungi, miasm
and decay" Yet how few, even
among children of the most devoted
parents, are as happy as they might
be made.
After the lecture, in conversation
with the women, DIR. Keller dis
cussed recent experiments in cleo
tricity, especially the fact that while
100 volts OF electricity are fatal,
several hundred thousand have been
taken with impunity. His own
opinion was that "the vibrations at
that or an approximate voltage was
synchronism with the cell vibration,
and therefore caused a disturbance to
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