The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-26
rng rungRouLoaIa coNonEas.
Or. Koch Advances Some New Ideas on the Transmls
sion Of Tuberouar Disease.

Or. Koch Advances Some New Ideas on the TransnIs.
sion Of Tubercuiar Disease.
Berlin October 2bs-The sensation of todaya SEES
sion Of the International Tuberculosis came
toward the end OF tho sitting. in the form Of paper
by Prof KOCH in which he maintained all his former
positions regarding the nonransferabllity Of animal
tuberculosis to Prof Koch began by stating that
he spoke at the desire OF the central committee. He
wished 1t to be understood, he said that his state
ments referred exclusively to the transmission of boz
vine tuberculosis TO human beings Some authorities
assert said the professor that intestinal tuberculosis
is very in the United States and in England,
while other authorities hold contrary views. Taking
up the alleged proofs that human beings may be
infected with bovine tuberculosis through skin LESSONS,
Prot Koch admitted that of tuberculosis do oc-
cur among butchers and other persons who handle
animals but he asserted that the percentage of suffer
ers from the disease among 1oners Ia equally as high
among handlers Of animals and meat He could not
see. he declared, any connection between a skin
lesion and tuberculosis ending in death, like the case
alleged of certain workman who scratched his hand
and finally died from consumption. The experiments
monkeys who were innocJated with bovine bacilli
and died subsequently, are, according to Prof Koch.
only indirect proof Of the transferablty OF animal
tuberculosis
IT." said the professor Infection Is SO frequent
through milk positive proof of this ought to be obtain
able. When poisoned meat is eaten in community
widespread effects follow How is 1t that no general
the drinking Of milk from tuberculoslsinfected
In view of the quantity of tuberculosis meat eaten
and the rarity of intestinal tuberculosis the question
must be asked why general infection is not more
frequent IL tuberculosis is apparently so harmless
why is it not the with milk? People think that
boiled milk is harmless but boiling not exterm
nate tubercuar bac, and sterilizng milk mpars it's
quality. Why is it that the pubic is nervous about
milk, but will eat butter, in which baci are equally
nurtured, without hesitation? The fact Is that most
people have eaten tubercular bacili Why not the
infection widespread"
Prof Koch declared that only two cases OF alleged
general infection known TO him. and these two
were not proved. He did not affirm he said that the
transmission of tuberculosis from animal to man was
impossible but that cases of the kind rare II
they did occur.
Last year Prof, Koch received number OF letters
from people who had drank tubercular milk for years
and who had discovered only the death of the COW
the milk OF which they had been drinking that the
animal had had tuberculosis AS the matter stands nc
satisfactory proof exists TO confute his ideas
In order to combat the disease" he said I'VE must
find the root of the evil and have better dwellings and
workshops, avoid oyercrowding and isolate persons
who are affected with tubercular baci This is the
only way to meet the enemy. Experience with other
infections proves that tuberculosis be successfully
combatted"
Prolonged cheers followed the reading of Prof
Koch,s paper. which will be printed in pamphlet form
in a few weeks.