Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
CURE FOR BLOOD POISONING
Comment on the Recent Experiment
with FOrmaIin in New
York City.

A paper which has attracted universal
attention was read at the last meeting Of
the New York Obstetrical society, in which
there was narrated by DR.. Charles G. Bar
rows of this city the history of a case of
blood poisoning Of the most severe type
known to medical science, reported to have
been cured by the injection of a solution
Of formaldehyde into the veins of a dying
woman.
Many cases Of severe blood poisoning,
comments the New York Sun, have recov-
cred without the intravenous injection Of
any antiseptic, including even that most
severe and usually fatal type which fol-
lows childbirth, in neglected or infected la
bors; but from the symptoms in thu par
ticular case, as given by a conscientious
and careful observer, there can be no doubt
that a marked Impression was made upon
the septic process by the/use of formalin.
One swallow does not make a summer,
but the summer is usually not far of when
| the swallow comes, and the medical profess
sion of today will not be found wanting in
enthusiasm or energy2in following up the
| suggestions Of this startling case, and the
world will soon know whether a new and
| successful method of treating s~epticaemia
has or has not been established.
Intravenous infusion is not new, nor Ia
the prohibitive effect Of several antiseptics
| when brought in contact will the germs oil
sepsis floating in the blood unknown to
medical science. Thousands OF cases have
been infused with a warm salt water So
luton, which is today a favOrite treatment
to relieve the shock resulting from exces-
sive he~morrhage. For the naturalization Of
the effects of serpent venom, permangnate
| Of potash solutions have been thrown into
the veins with curative effect. The deriva'
tiyes of iodoform and carbolic acid carried
into the blood by capillary absorption have
long been known to neutralize the poison
Gus effects Of these germs Of child-bearint
fever; but in no instance, as recorded haV'
solutions of formalin Of such strength beer
used as that employed in the particular
case under consideration
Formalin derived from formic aldehyde
is a term applied to a gaseous BODY ex
tracted from methyl, or wood alcohol' whe'
submitted to oxidation. Methyl alcohol wa
discovered BY Boyle in 1861, but It's derlV
atives have only come into medlcal an
surgical use within recent years.
The president OF the New YORK oostet
ricaI society is reported In the Sun Q
January 16 to have said That wlthou
further trial and taking the case as
L STANDS, the ulSCONNig VI 10
the most important contribution to medica
science Of this generation"
II it shall prove a cure for blood poison
even II 1t cure only q certain pToportio
OF cases, or II 1t does no more than I
omen the door for the curative agent "
10 come, It will be difficult to estimat
its value to the human race; but 1t shoul
be borne in mind that the discovery Of II
germ theory Of disease, advocated and Ell
tablished by those two chiefs among tn
immortals of STANDARDIZATION and Lister
comes within this generation so rife wit
startling discoveries. They showed II
scientific world the cause and placed
its hands the prevention Of blood poison
, ing and other diseases.
, When the medical profession shall full
inform itself Of these cardinal facts
: theory and practice and shall teach Il
ever-ready public the rudiments OF sci
! protection in all matters relating to healt
tho streptoeoccus OF blood poison will n
enter the blood Of the mother who is pa
ing her tribute TO nature, and the typho
, bacillus, the germ of consumption anG 9th
Of the host Of invisible enemies which a
. ever assailing the citadel Of life will IA
harmless.