New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-13
IvvTyIrY FPOu TUBERCULOSIS

An embarras sment which besets the latest
phase of Inc war against tuberculosis received
much attention from Professor Behring in an
address recently delivered at Cassel. Germany.
The speaker has been experimenting on cattle,
rs Dr.. Trudeau did on rabbits and guinea pigs,
To ascertain the feasibility of securing i'm
munity; and in his more successful efforts he
seems to have followed the precedent estab-
lished by the American. At the Saranac Lake
laboratory 1t was demonstrated that inOcula-
ton with living bacilli whose virulence had
been reduced was more cfectual than other
methods which had been tried. The correct
principle having once been ascertained, num-
her OF questions relative to its safe application
were Immediately raised. Professor Behring
says that ii is not difficult to obtain permission
10 experiment on hundreds Of calves, because
farmers would not seriously regret the loss of
few animals if the great bulk of their herds
were made immune. When an investigator
wants 10 inoculate an equal number OF babies,
though, # is practically impossible TO secure
parental consent Each mother prefers to have
the test made. if il is made at all, on some one
ese's child. She may believe, with DR.. Tru-
deau, that il a research OF this sort results sue
cessfully as Il probably WILL ''the greatest prob
lem before the medical profession would be
solved: but she does not want TO run any
risks.
Eventually Il is TO be hoped a legitimate and
humane way OF getting around this difficulty
Will be found The first great step is to win
the voluntary cooperation of those who are
charged with the responsibility of caring for
the very young This might be afforded by an
institution for foundlinCs If it's managers were
familiar enough with the work already done
with the lower animals to perceive what It
War Ia ken
in the United States, there would be al obvious
propriety in asking DR.. Trudeau 10 supervise
them. The essential feature would he the cult
ure of the bacteria, and this would naturally
he conducted at his laboratory in the Adiron-
dacks. Whether the operation of incubation
should also be performed by him is a point on
which his judgment might be trusted. His per
sonal attendance might not be necessary; but If
II was. he might be able TO spare the necessary
time from his sanatOrium to visit the asylum
where the work was done. At any rate the
idea deserves consideration. Just at present the
opinion is entertained that experiments which
look to prevention. not cure. should be tried
upon infants; and to possess convincing value
they should he undertaken on a broad scale
Orphan asylums offer exceptional facilities,
therefore, If not almost the only chance, for
IA satisfactory study of human immunity against
tuberculosis.
Professor Behring himself does not appear 10
have discovered an available opportunity for
such a test He mentioned II new method Of
procedure however, which might be tried when
The right chance offered. He seems TO be con-
WINGED. as some other experts are that infec-
ton occurs almost exclusively by way of the
digestive apparatus With infants he believes
that contaminated milk is the chief source of
danger Accordingly, he suggests the possibil-
ity that protection temporary or permanent.
might be derived 10y children II they are fed
on the milk of cows that have previously been
rendered immune by incubation. This would
be departure from the system which has af-
forded so much encouragement when tried on
guinea pigs. rabbits and cattle, hut IL Is omen 10
less objection when applied TO human subjects
Resides. no one can say with certainty al pres
ent that II Is Inadequate. Perhaps its virtues