Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-21

losis. not of the lungs. but OF the surface.
and F1nsen destroys 1t by subjecting his pa
tients to the purely chemical rays. HIS
rays have not been made to penetrate deep
cacious In tuberculosis Of the lungs.
"Just how much progress can be made
with similar treatments no one knows as
yet. In London and Paris, in Berlin ana
Vienna, in Copenhagen and New York. in
vesigators are studying the effect OF the
blue light and the ultraviolet rays under
varying circumstances. They are also ex-
perfmenting with various lenses and other
media through which to pass the light.
There have been many experiments with
the X-rays in fighting cancer. but these
have not been successful except in superb
cial cases.. Even then the rays have not
been Of much greater. II any, more benefit
than the plan of scraping out the bed OF
the ulcer and using caustics.
''The knife still remains the last resort
for well-developed cancer. Even 1t fails
when the disease is Of such long standing
as to allow thorough distribution OF the u.s.
ease through the system.
Promising Meteorological Researches.
There is promise in the immense activ-
ity now being displayed in meteorological
research. While it has not led to the dis
covery of remedies In great number OF
instances, it has laid bare the causes OF
several disorders to which the flesh is heir.
In this way it has led the profession closer
and closer to the plan of assisting nature
in building up the power of resistance ana
the adoption Of the simplest treatment pos
sible.
'It is true that certain poisons (antl-
toxins) destructive of the dfsease-producing
bacteria have been discovered, but In more
than one instance it has been found that
these poisons would also kill the patlent'
or af lea
at was so with formalin. in cases OF
blood poisoning. Formal1n WILL indeeo' De
stroy the microbes producing this disorder
but formalin's effect upon the patient IS
still very questionable.
Hope in Anti-Toxins.
"An interesting thing which medical SCI
ence has discovered concerning bacteria
but of which the general public probably IS
not aware, is the fact that microbes do III
tie or no harm to the human system Ill
rectly. They come into being, live their
little lives and die, nourished by the vital
forces Of the greater life by which they are
surrounded, without destroying tissues OF
interfering with the functions Of that life +
''But in the course Of their brief activity 1t
has been found that they distill deadly pos
ons (toxins), and these poisons produce the
disease. From this discovery rose the serum
treatment - the invention Of the various
Gates, is simply an opposing poison. The
antitoxins that have been found so useful
in the treatment of such diseases as diph-
liberia, for instance, do their work by de-
stroying the poisons which produce them.
Into the system of the patient the proper
antitoxin is introduced by incubation. AS
the circulation of the blood carries 1t cours-
ing through the veins and arteries, it meets.
opposes and, If the disease has not pro-
crossed too far. overcomes the bacterial
poison, and the patient gets well.
1.-The scarlet fever antitoxin is the latest.
It was developed in Germany by Aronson.
Baginsky gave it the needful tests 1t seems
probable that it may yet take It's place
alongside the diphtheria serum. The latter
is regarded by a majority of the profession
as almost a specific.
'"The antitoxin treatment for tetanus or
lockjaw Is not so often successful, because
the disease Is usually well advanced the
central nervous system frequently being in
vowed by the time its presence is shown
through Its characteristic symptoms
1T is so. too, with hydrophobia AS If is
wise to take treatment at once when bitten
by dog. whether or not he be known to be
raoio' so 1t Is wise to take remedial meas
ures without delay after such an injury as
wound from rusty nail or toy pistol
Great Remedial Agents.
LAS 1 have already indicated, the founda-
ton of the progress recently accomplished,
as well as that greater progress which is
hoped for. lies in assisting nature to effect
her own cures by adding to the patients
power of resistance. Drugs are sometimes
help. but pure air, pure water, light, more
light-these are the great agents, the use
OF which, properly directed, is now the
physicians chief reliance.
AS we learn and practice more along
these lines. the number of diseased persons
in proportion to the whole Is sure to Ill
minish steadily and markedly. The race Of
the future with better education along these
lines will be stronger, healthier, and, tn ere
fore. on higher level mentally, morally
and physically, than 1t now is or ever has
been.
The many medical congresses now being
held and the discussions and the inter-
change of views which these give rise to.
giving to their profession, and the wide
general interest taken in everything per-
taining to health. are big factors In the
progress of the present and the future To
these should be added the vast influence of
the modern press. which Is always ready to
open its columns for the spread of such In
formation among the people,"