New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-26
KOCH HOLDS TO HlSTHEORY
MAINTAINS THERE Is NO PROOF OF THE
TRANSFERRIBILITY OF BOVINE
TUBERCULOSIS TO MAN.

Berlin, Oct 2o.-The sensation of to-day's ses-
sion OF the International Tuberculosis Congress
Game toward the end of the sitting in the form
OF paper by Professor Koch in which he main
tanned all his former positions regarding the
Notwithstanding Of animal tuberculosis TO
man PROFESSOR Koch began by stating that he
spoke at the desire Of the central committee. He
WISHED IL 10 De understood. he said. that his
statements referred exclusively to the transmits
sion o. bovine tuberculosis TO human beings.
ne asserted that statistics on the subject Of in
testlnaI tuberculosis were too fncomplete 10 es-
taoAsh the frequency Of that disease. Some au-
thorltles claim said the professor. that intes-
tIiaI tuberculosis is very common in the United
states and in England. while other authorities
mold contrary views. Cases OF the disease ara
not frequent in Germany. An inquiry instituted
oy the government has proved the rarity OF
such cases
IdAlhs up the alleged proofs that human be-
iiisS may De infected with bovine tuberculosis
l4'oush skin LESSONS. Professor Koch admitted
'hat cases or tuberculosis do occur among butch
ers and other persons who handle anfr9sIs r,,+
ne asserted that the percentage Of sufferers from
the disease among jOiners is equally as high "a
among handlers Of animals and meat He could
NOT see. ne declared, any connection between a
sAIn Ieslon and tuberculosis. ending in death Ike
the case alleged OF certain workman who
scratched his hand and finally died from, CON
sumption. The experiments on monkeys. which
were inocuIated with bovine baciIH and died sub
sequently, are, according 10 Professor Koch
only indirect proof OF the transferabiIity OF ami
nal tuberculosis.
IT, said the professor. ..intac+,o, &c %, -.
quent through milk. positive proof of this ought
70 De ootainable. When poisoned meat is eaten
IN a community widespread effects follow. How
Is II that no general infection follows the eating
or tuoerculous meat the drinking OF milk
from tubercuIous COW? Experts assert that
large amounts OF tuberculous meats are con-
sumed daily, and that not only the flesh but
even tuberculOus organs are made use Of for
food. yet no widespread infection follows In
View OF the quantity OF tubercuIous meat eaten
and the rarity Of intestinal tuberculosis. the
question must be asked why a general infection
is not more frequent. II tuberculous meat is
apparently so harmless, why is it not the same
with milk? People think that boiled milk is
harmless. but boiling does not exterminate
tubercular bacilli. and sterilizing milk impairs
It's quality Why is it that the public is so
nervous about milk, but yet viii eat butter in
which bacIu are equally nurtured without hest
tation? The fact is that most people have eaten
tubercular bacilH. Why is not the infection
widespread?'
Professor Koch declared that only two cases
and these two We're not proved He did not
affirm he said that the transmission Of tubercu-
losis from animal to man was impossible. but
that cases Of the kind We're extremely rare. If
they did occur. He had collected twenty-eight
cases OF apparent transmission OF tubercuIar
hacilli-a very small number-and in none OF
these could the source Of the infection De stated
positively. the data being incomplete
Last year Professor Koch received a number
Of letters from people who had drunk tubercu-
lous milk for years and who had discovered
only upon the death of the COW. the milk of
which they had been drinking. that the animal
was tuberculous. He appealed 10 the central
committee TO collect trustworthy data. and.
especially, 10 ascertain what proportion of per-
sons using the same meat and milk remained
unaffected where transmission of tuberculosis
was reported. As the matter stands, no salts
factory proof exists
If measures are taken TO combat animal
tuberculosis went on Professor Koch they
must be on economic, not sanitary. grounds. In
order To combat the disease We must ind the
root Of the evil establish better dwelling houses
and workshops. avoid overcrowding and isolate
persons who are affected with tubercUIar bacillL
This is the only way to meet the enemy. Ex-
perience with other infections proves that
tuberculosis can be successfully cOmbated."
Prolonged cheers followed the reading Of Pro
fessor Koch's paper, which viii be printed in
pamphlet form in few weeks
NJ NOcard. a well known French veterinary
authority. spoke in opposition 10 Professor
Koch's views. He said the statements made by
the professor led to two conclusions-that the
transmission of tuberculosis does not occur and
that precautions are unnecessary The speaker
said a number OF experiments made since Pro
lessor KoCh's London address proved that ami
mails rarely take tuberculosis from man. but
that no doubt exists that beasts can be infected
tubercular bacillus exists in great varieties Of
virulence. and also that some animals are more
susceptible than others. The different degrees
Of viruence he said. depended upon environ
ment. The bovine bacillus, NJ Nocard asserted
was more virulent than the human bacillus All
tuberculous animal products could infect
through alimentatiOn. Milk from a tuberculous
udder is highly infectious. though number OF
baciH are necessary for infection through the
digestive organs. NJ. Nocard said he himself
had killed five monkeys through incubation
with bovine bacIlI. and he asked why human
beings should be immune. The speaker said he
regarded the danger from tuberculous animals
as established. and he declared that such ani-
mails should be destroyed and those suspected OF
being infected should be isolated
NJ: NOcard concluded by arguing that bovine
tuberculosis is transferable to man especially
through milk from tuberculOus udder and
that an exclusively tactical diet for children Is
particularly dangerous. He recommended a rigid
inspection of COW stables and the boiling OF an
milk.
His address was loudly appIauded-