Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-26

transferred to human beings from the flesh
or milk of affected animals has for long
been unquestiOned Laws preventing such
possible transmission have grown more
and more stringent every year The most
rigid system Of inspection has been estab-
lished-inspectiOn of the animals before
and after killing--and these elaborate pre-
cautions have been followed by other ma
tions.
During the last few years many millions
Of dollars worth of cattle have been de-
stroyed because of the belief that tubercu-
losis could be transmitted to mankind
The theory has been taught in the medical
colleges. No wonder that Professor Koch's
announcement startled the scientific world
Had it been made by one less eminent there
would have been rush Of protests and
arguments--as it is physicians and veteri-
narians can only wait for further details.
DR.. Cyrus Edison said, IF it is true that
Prof. Koch has found that tuberculosis Is
not communicable from the flesh OF milk of
cattle to the human being, il will prove a
remarkable revolution in the theory of the
transmission Of the disease Many millions
of dollars are being spent by the nations in
trying to prevent just what Dr. Koch de
clares is impossible.
II am eager to learn just what Professor
Koch says on the subject-to know Just
what his line Of observation has been and
the actual results. Certain it is that the
tubercle bacillus IN cattle is the same in APP
pearance as that in man, and we have be-
lieved for many years that its development
was not retarded by transmission to the
human stomach either in the flesh or the
milk of the afflicted animal Not only has
experience seemed to point to us that
tuberculosis could be thus transmitted, but
that other diseases could be SO communi-
Gated, especially lockiaw. The details Of
Professor Koch's experiments will be
awaited by the whole scientific world with
the greatest in crest"
Dir. Edward ~ Leavy, of the New York
Veterinary Hospital, said: Professor
Kochs announcement is certainly a start
ling one. Veterinarians firmly believe con-
sumption in animals Is the same as con.
sumption in man and great efforts have
been made to prevent communication Of the
disease. We can only wait for further par
ticulars from the learned dOetor before
throwing away the results of our own ex-
perience."
DR.. S. K. Johnson, one of the most prom
inent veterinarians also was greatly non
plussed over Dr. Kochs announcement
1T is not for me to dispute Professor
Koch" said the doctor but authorities
have certainly agreed heretofore upon the
communicability Of the disease. Under the
microscope the bacillus from the COW is
exactly the same as that from man
According to the report of the chief of the
Bureau Of Animal Industries, the number
of animals destroyed in 1900 because Of
tuberculosis were: Cattle, AIo4; sheep,
993; hogs, 32,S59.
1t will be seen from the foregoing that the
sensation created by Professor Koch was
worldwide. But his declaration was none
the less accepted by the medical profession,
and his subsequent or supplementary an
uouncements con6rmatory of the truth Of
his experiments settled the matter with
the medical profession in this as in the
other countries of the world.
The GLOBE hardly thinks that Dr. Bar
neys discovery (9) and the sensational
means he took in both experiment and an
nouncement will upset the high and authori-
tative declaration Of Professor Koch Ard
the milk trust must try againl