The Washington times., 1902-09-10
Physicians Discuss Dis
covery of Summer
Complaint Germ.
SEARCH NOW MADE FOR CURE
Remedy Not Always Easy, Even
Though 1t Is More Readily Found
When the Cause of the Trouble Is
Fully Known.

the germ which causes summer COM
plant among infants. Dr. Welch is
known personally, or by reputation, to
practically all the medical fraternity OF
Washington, and much Importance is
attached to his findings. He is regard
ed as one of the best pathological ex-
perts in the country, and now that he
have searched for unsuccessfully for
years. the majority of physicians loudly
praise his work
DR.. Welch, while making experiments
continually, has been stimulated greatly
| in his search for this particular bacillus
by the large offer said 10 have been
! made by John Rockefeller, the multi
millionaire oil magnate, to aid in dis
covering and counteracting the causes
OF the disease.
Offers Reward Through Grief.
Mr.. Rockefeller's favorite grandson
Jack Mccormick died about year
ago from fever superinduced by summer
complaint, and Mr.. Rockefeller was so
distressed over the death of the little
fellow that he expressed himself as will
ing to pay any amount to discover the
dread germ. When the boy died his
grandfather believed that the disease
was brought on by drinking water on
his estate, but this was analyzed and
found to be pure. Then it was that he
turned to the pathologists to search for
the germ.
A great deal has been written upon
the subject of diarrheal diseases by
medical experts. DR.. Booker. of Bal
tfmore, we'll known pathological ex-
pert, has published a large volume
treating of numerous organisms. all
having more or less to do with the dis
ease, lbut until now the distinct germ
has not been found.
Thus far the local physicians have but
little knowledge upon the subject of the
new discovery beyond what has been
published in the newspapers. as the
matter has no. yet reached the medi-
cal journals. They are anxiously await
ing the publication by DR.. Welch of
the details of his discovery.
Same as in Adults.
1t is though by many that the exact
nature of the icro-organism has not
yet been made known, but physicians
are satisfied to learn for the present
that 1T is identical with the one found
rs the injecting agent in similar all
ments in the adult.
The dysenteries in man are due to two
species of germ, one an animal para
site, known as the amoeba, and the
other to bacillus or vegetable organ
ism. 1t is believed that the new germ
belongs to the former class and is the
same that produces the infectious trou-
bles which have prevailed among the
soldiers camps in the Philippines and
Cuba.
While the discovery of Dr. WEIGH is
tafled with great delight by the med
ical fraternity, 1t is nevertheless re-
garded as only the initial step in the
direction of finding cure for the dis
ease. In order to effect a cure it is
necessary to find a remedy. Now that
the cause is known, physicians believe
that some one will in the course of a
short time discover something which
will counteract 1t.
Concerning this matter, DR.. Behrend.
OF 1914 X Street, who has devoted much
study to microscopic examination and
also to the treatment of diseases of
children. said yesterday: ut Is no
doubt valuable discovery, but 1t does
not indicate that We have found the
remedy for the disease. That is an
other matter.
Search for Remedy.
I'VE have known for some time the |
germ which produced typhoid fever. but |
we have not been able to counteract 1t
IN all cases. The same is true of |
tuberculosis. We discovered the germ |
twenty years ago, but as yet no one |
has been successful in finding a cure |
for it. The same is true TO a lesser ex-
tent OF number of other germs, which |
cause diseases which are less prevalent.
THE mere fact that the germ which |
produces summer complaint has been
discovered is great step forward, and |
We trust that some one will now dis
cover the proper remedy"
Il am somewhat skeptical upon the
subject until l have had an opportunity
to read the details of the discovery in
the medical journals said DR.. J. y.
Nichols. pathological expert. 81 hope
that the discovery is all that has been
claimed for 1t.
There are number of germs in diar-
rhoeal diseases. II the proper one has
been found and isolated the next thing
to do is to find an animal which will be
immune and obtain a serum This NAV
be difficult task. as there are germs
from which an animal cannot be made
immune by any method yet discovered.
This may be one of them. However. il
this discovery is as reported 1t is an
important one, and one which will be
gladly received by the medical frater-
nity throughout the world
Anti Toxin Is Needed.
Il place great reliance upon the dis
of Dr. Weich," said Dr. Wade
H. Atkinson. While / have not seen
the subject treated yet in the medical
journals, ] hope that the report that
he germ has been found Is true. This is Il
! step worth many times its cost. Hog I
lirectly valuable 1t may be depends upon
The character of the bacillus. 1t must
now be known whether any anii-to1in /
may be found that will kill il. But II
pending this knowledge, any step toward ,
absolute knowledge in medicine is OF I
great value d
There have been fewer deaths in !
this season from summer ID
complaint than usual, owing, il is said, 4
TO the fact that the weather has not c
been as warm as in former years.