New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-20
TRE TUBERCULOSIS DISPUTE.

Or. Koch's opinion about the impossibility or
conveying tuberculosis from cattle to human
beings came UP for discussion a few days ago
before a local medical society in Berlin. Pro-
fessor Lassar reported number of cases of
certain skin disease, dermatitis verracOSa, in
persons who had dealt with tuberculOus cattle.
and also in men employed in slaughter houses.
lie regarded these few instances the more sig
nifcant because, out of 10S0OO cases of skin
disease that he had seen during the last ten
years he had been able 10 discover only thirty
four Of dermatltis verracOsa. The proportion
arising among persons whose business brought
them in contact with cattle seemed 10 him alb
normally large. 4 second participant in the
symposium said that he had inoculated thirty
two COWS with human tuberculosis, bus pro
duced perceptible effects in only thirteen. Other
physicians who were present were able 10 an
nOunce greater degree of success in similar
experiments.
4 good deal Of testimony has been supplied
from various sources since DIR. Koch's sensa-
tional announcement was made which indicates
that his faith is not well founded; nor has the
study of the matter been confined to these last
two years The fact that intestinal tubercu-
losis in children who live largely on milk is a
common and often fatal disorder is alone sug
geStive. if not convincing. 1t will be observed.
too that il the disease in such cases is really
Of bovine origin IL is conveyed by purely natu
raj processes. and not by such artificial meth
DDS rs intentional incubation. BY the Pasteur-
ization OF milk the danger TO infants may be
avertod. The pains taken by progressive dairy
farmers TO prevent the infection of their stock
and the requirements of a few wide awake
wholesale dealers in milk further tend TO pro-
mote immunity. Finally. it is probable that
a. - a.
harm done TO consumers of meat and milk de
rived from infected cattle. Still, after allow
ance has been made for all of these considera-
tions, there is left n small apparent residuum
Of peril TO society against which protection is
yet needed.
At first sight the conflict of opinion here re-
vealed is puzzling Why, one naturally asks,
should experts who are equally honest and COM
/ petent reach different conclusions? In this, As
I In many other controversies, those who occupy
/ extreme positions have doubtless confined their
/ observations to only a few cases; and there has
unuuestiOnably been some isagreement In the
! facts thus observed. Even so. a circumstance
/ with which all experienced psychologists
/ ought TO be familiar has been largely ignored.
/ While fairly constant in form, dietary prefer
ences and some other traits, nearly every species
Of bacillus exhibits great variability In viru-
/ lence. Sometimes that quality is utilized in
the preparation of antitOxins. Several methods
Of tanning microbes are already known. 1t is
/ not inconceivable that other influences which
are capable of subdung their potency remain
undiscovered Bacterology is young science
| At any rate it is not wise to draw hasty conclu-
sions from a failure TO produce a given result.
so long success attends other experiments OF
a similar character. The main battle against
/ tuberculosis in human beings must be directed
against infection from other human beings but
/ il is not vet safe to overlook the possibility of
trouble from cattle.