Arizona republican., 1903-01-26
Is There Cure for Blood Poisoning

A paper which has attracted uni versal attention was read at the last meeting of the New York Obstetrical society, in which there was narrated by Dr. Charles C. Barrows of this city the history Of a case of blood poisoning of the most severe type known to medi- cal science, reported to have been cured by the injection of a solution of form eldehyde into the veins of q dying woman.
 Many cases of severe blood poisoning have recovered without the intravenous injection of any antiseptic, including even that most severe and usually fatal type which follows childbirth, in ne- glected or infected labors: but from the symptoms in this particular 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 sum mer, but the summer is usually not far Jff when the swallow comes, and the medical profession of today will not be found wanting in enthusiasm or energy ! in following up the suggestions of this startling case, and the world will soon know whether a new and successful liltAllOu Ol lItdliAS StDilNdtIilid HAS or has not been established.
 IntraVenCus infusion is not new, nor
 s the prohibitive effect of several anti 'eptics when brought in contact with | the germs oi sepsis floating in the blood unknown to medical science. Thousands of cases have been infused l with 2 warm saltwater solution. which s today favorite treatment to relieve the shock resulting from excessive aemorrhage. For the naturalization of | the effects of serpent venom, perman- | sanate of potash solutions have been thrown into the veins with curative | aftect. The derivatives of iodoform | md carbolic acid carried into the blood ly capillary absorption have long been | known to neutrallZe the poisonous ef- | 'ects of these germs of child bearing
 ever; but in no instance. as recorded | have solutions Of formalin of such
 strength been used as that employed | the particular case under considera-
 ton.
 Formalin (derived from forn,ic aide 1 byde) is a term applied to a gaseou:
 lody extracted from methyl or wood l llcohol. when submitted to oxidation. | Nethyl alcohol was discovered by
 Doyle in 1c61, but its derivatives have ] )nly come into medical and surgical
 1se within recent years.
 The president of the New York Ob- i 'tetrical society is reported in The Sun | If January 16 to have said that with 1 out further trial and taking the case l IS it stands, the discovery Of Dr. Bar
 ows is the most important rcntriba- | ion to medical science of this genera l tion"
 If it shall prove a cure for blood pois-
 )n, or even if it cure only certain | proportion of cases, or if it does nc
 nore than to open the door for the | ;urative agent yet to come, it will be l lifficult to estimate its value to the
 human race; but it should be borne in | mind that the history of the germ
 theory of disease, advocated and estab-
 ished by those two chiefs among the
 mmortals of science-Pasteur and Lis
 ter-is rife with startling discoveries They showed the scientific world tn,
 cause, and placed in its hands the pre-
 vention of blood poisoning and othel
 diseases.
 When the medical profession shall fully inform itself of these cardinal facts of theory and practice and shall
 teach the every-ready public the rudi- 1onts of self protection in all matters : relating to health. the bacillus O
 blood poison will not enter the blood of
 the mother who is paying her tribute
 to nature, and the typhoid bacillus. the
 germ of consumption and othters oi
 the host of invisible enemies which arc
 ever assailing the citadel of life will
 fall harmless. New York Sun.