The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-15

These results are apparently negative. yet they tend to
prove that the action of the formalin on the pus cells in
the blood is not direct.
What. thea. is the way in which the formalin works,
and why does it actually kill the poison in the blood?
1t is important to know exactly how the formal:n &C
complishes its purpose if Its application to the cure of
blood poisning is to be perfected. Since according to the
experiments made it does not kill germs of disease or
scatter ps when used in so mild a solution it must work
in some other way. since it does accomplish the result.
What is this way?
1t has been noted by scientists that just before the rus
cells take possession of the blood of the patient suffering
from blood poisoning the white corpuscles of the blood in
crease greatly. These are called the leucocytes, and in his
report on the case cured at Bellevue, Doctor Barrows cited
the fact of the large number of white corpuscles appearing
at the critical stage of the disease. This may be the ciew
to the mystery.
The large number of white cells is natures futile ct
tempt to overcome the invading foe. When the poison has
forced its way in these white cells disappear. vanquished.
Now, it is in these very white cells that Professor Net
chnikof of the Pasteur Institute has discovered what he
aptly calls the policemen of the body" the phagocytes-
or devouring cells. which take up all the germs and
deleterious substances which enter the blood and devour
them as long as they have the power.
1t is not probable that in the peculiar function of these
phagocytes. one generally accepted to-day by bacteria
loGists. We have an indication of the path along which the
cure for blood poisoning is to be found.
The scientist need not look for an agent that will oe-
stroy pus cells. but he must search for some drug that will
stimulate the formation of leucoyts. which will do away
with the pus cells with neatness and dispatch.
On consulting several prominent physicians. to whom the
action of the formaHn was quite puZzling, it was generally
admitted that this is probably the true theory of the
method of fighting septicaemia. and that the formalin does
really increase the phagocytes which do the scavenger
work of destroying the pus cells.
WHAT IT MAY DO FOR P~UERPERAL FEVER.
The one great danger to which mothers are exposed is
that of puerperal fever. Medical science with all Of its
antiseptics has not yet been able to guard against the oc-
ourrence of this dread disease. NsH%. tFs f NAS
The helpless woman is seized With tie fever. the rus
cells form in the system and soon invade the blood. and
when they have taken complete possession We have a case
of septicaemia. the pulse ranges as high as 10 and the
fever at l09, the patient dying in awful torture.
An English physician. Doctor Mcguire, announced some
time ago that he had found formalin eficacious in some
cases of septicaemia. but was not satisfied that 1t was an
absolute destroyer of the poison.
Doctor Barrows found it effective in the case of the
woman treated by him at Bellevue. and other American
physicians have found it work wonders.
When the scientists have ascertained exactly how the
fcrmair works. and precisely the strength of the solution ,
to be introduced into the veins of the patient suffering
from septicaemia, the chief fear of mothers will be le-
moved.
1t will be the greatest boon to humanity that has been
bestowed upon it by scientific research, and the terrors Of
motherhood will be largely diminished.
One of the leading scourges Of humanity is diphthearia.