New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
DIR. WOODWARD'S VIEWS.
BELIEVES FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF
KOCHS THEORY NECESSARY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuNE.l

Washington, July 27.-Dr. William o. Wood
ward, the Health Officer of the District OF
Columbia, is particularly interested in bovine
tuberculosis ana the possibility of it's transmits
sion to human beings through milk and dairy
products. He said to-day:
am unable to discover anything very start
ling in the views recently set forth by Professor
Koch relative TO the extent of the danger, If any,
Of contracting tuberculosis from cattle. There
are no courts OF last resort in medical science.
and therefore, while Professor Kochs views and
opinions are entitled to great weight they
not be regarded as settling this matter The
position he has taken is by no means new For
instance, the following statement by DR.. Robin
son, of Chicago, made in an address delivered
in October, 1899, If set forth by itself, might
almost he mistaken by not familiar with its
origin for part of Kochs address DR.. Robin
said:
A wide review of the literature of the subject
leads me to the following conclusion:
positively the doctrine of intertransmisson OF bo-
vine and human tuberculosis by cOntagion and in
nit that there may be element of danger in the
use of tuberculous milk This danger is sufficient to
justify demanding such food laws viii insure
the consumer pure milk and pure food products.
exact degree of danger which attends the use of
the milk of tuberculous cows is proved, It Is bet
ter to teach the public that there are other preds
posing and exciting causes of human tuberculosis,
Which # H would tend to eradiSae rs66 b the
trying first to eradicate II from the domestic ami
conceal the possibility of the intertransmission of
the disease. let this possibility be placed in Its
DR.. Woodward added
There is always a margin between the teach
ings OF science AMI the practice Of the corre-
spending art. While in few jurisdictions the
regulations designed to prevent the spread Of
tuberculosis among cattle and from cattle TO
human beings have been carried to the utmost
OF the scientific theory, yet generally speaking,
this cannot be said to have been the case.
KOch's declaration of opinion will lead to further
investigation of the subject Of bovine tubercu-
losis in its relation to human tuberculosis, but
until such Investigations have been made, 1t is
not likely that such regulations gen
orally in force relative to bovine tuberculosis
will be materially modified. The regulations to
diminish the spread of the disease through sputa
Will, however probably be extended
While agreeing with Professor Koch rs all
must agree with him, in the Importance of sana-
toriums for the treatment of consumption,
would lay more weight than is generally laid
upon the Importance of education While it is
desirable that the pupils in our schools should
know something Of the conditions likely to re-
suit from the of intoxicating liquors. it is 1t
seems to me, quite important that they should
know something of the prevention Of the spread
or contagious diseases, and among contagiou
diseases include, OF course. tuberculosis The
first step for the government to take is | be-
leVe, the introduction of instruction along these
lines into the curriculum of our public schools
When the public understands, it will be made
TO understand through such instruction that
tuberculosis is contagious, and, further that II
is durable, the government will, I believe be
ready TO provide proper hospitals for the isoIa
tion or such cases as are incurable and so situ-
ated as to be dangerous to their families and
for the cure of such may not have od
yanced too far "u