Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-25
3y253t
SPREAD OF CONSUMPTION
PROF. kOCH'S THEORY Is NOT AC-
CEPTED BY SOME EXPERTS.
1t IL Asserted Tuberculosis Can BE
PrOpagated Through Milk and
Meat of Infected Cattle.

The principal paper before the British
congress on tuberculosis, in London yes
terday, was read by Professor Brouardel
of Paris who urged International legisla-
ton in regard to the notification Of the
authorities of the existence Of tuberculo-
sis and the disinfection and salubrity of
hotels. railroad cars and steamboats,, thus
preventing the spread Of tuberculosis.
Professor Brouardel. who is dean OF the
medical faculty of Paris maintained that
the disease was durable. He said any
measures tending to limit the ravages Of
alcoholism would diminish the mortality
from consumption. and referred to the
great danger in hawking pieces OF meat
In public places and in the sale Of milk
which had not been examined. Professor
Brouardel believed these dangers could be
remedied by legislation. The speaker said
the measures needed for the prevention Of
tuberculosis were Identical In every coun-
try, and the first step in this direction
was to render unhealthy dwellings and
districts salubrious. A healthy house, he
said was anti-tubercular.
Professor Brouardel complimented the
United States on the quick realization Of
legislation in the matter. He said once
this habit had quite disappeared tuhercu-
losis would decrease rapidly.
Professor Brouardel declines to accept
Professor hOcn 3 theory tnSt lODeTCu1OS1S
cannot be propagated by the meat and milk
OF tuberculosis cattle, and has said he
thought 1t easy to protect the population
from this contamination by legislation.
In an important paper on the use Of
tuberculin, DR.. G. A. Heron OF London
paid a warm tribute to the researches Of
Professor Koch. lie said that the prejudice
against tuberculin arose from the igno-
rance OF those who had attempted to use
II while disregardng the explicit iniunc-
forts to apply it in unsuitable cases. He
pointed out that very frequent mistake
was to administer an overdose and to fan
to reduce or suspend the application when
the temperature rose above normal.
The only chance to cure consumption,
DR.. Heron asserted, was to begin IN the
early stages. The surest method OF dag
uosis W as by the application Of tuberculin.
He exp essed himself as entirely confident
that this could be done with absolute safe
ty, Had tuberculfn served no other pur-
pose than diagnosis" said he, 1T would
be worthy of the highest praise and ap-
probation"
Professor Koch, who was present, was
warmly cheered. He spoke briefly, indors-
ing DR.. Herons observations as to the
necessity for caution in the use of tuber-
culin.
The Daily Mail publishes an interview
with Lord Lister, In the course Of which
he IS represented as having said that he
was absolutely unable to believe the state
ment OF PROFESSOR hocn that human De
fngs could not get consumption through
drinking the milk OF diseased cows, the
evidence to the contrary being far too over
Whelming
Sir William Broadbent declined to say
how far Professor Koch's statement might
be correct, in view OF the fact that tuber-
culosis, while generally decreasing, was on
the increase among children.
DR.. Edward Neumann Of Davos- Platz,
one Of the Swiss delegates, said that Pro-
fessor Koch was already prepared to meet
the objections Of Lord Lister.