New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-14
MODERN RESEARCH.

Modern research work has taken two distinct
lines in recent years. The whole field OF con-
tagious diseases. which are caused by the action
OF bacteria is known the study OF bacteriol-
ogy The cure OF such diseases might be Classi-
ned as the work along the line of immunity. The
father OF modern bacteriolOgy was Pasteur. who,
by experiments upon lower animals. discovered
the nature Of tho bacterial pOisOns which cause
contagious diseases. Then came Koch with his
special work upon the disease germ IN tuber-
Culosis MetchnikoR and his school discovered
how the white blood cells devour and digest the
bacteria OF contagious diseases.
The most modern studies along this line are in
the direction Of discovering how the body manu-
features chemical antidOtes TO the poisons OF the
bacteria absorbed into the blood. Bordet and
Ehrlich have been the leaders in working out the
elaborate chemistry of the naturalization Of these
poisons In the body with view TO preventing
the causes of contagious disease and dealing sue
cessfuIly with them after development.
This field OF medical research deals chiefly
with diseases which afflict humanity UP to the
age of forty years. Through IT the human
chance of attaining, maturity has been largely
increased. but when all is done along this line
the whole question of the wasting diseases
which afilict old age is left untouched.
The line of research which more particularly
applies to the diseases incident 10 old age Is the
study OF disease in itself and the causes which
lie behind the organic changes which take place
with advancing years from q structural and
functional standpoint. This line OF inquiry Is
known as structural pathology, or the study or
disease under the microscope, and it is along
this line that the work of the new Russell Sage
Institute will be directed.
The conditions which are directly incident TO
the wasting process the body and its organs
undergo with age can be less clearly
defined There is the hardening of the arteries.
which impairs the action of the heart. causes
reduction in the circulation. shrinking OF the
nerve centres with general enfeeblement and
ultimate seniIity. If an artery in the brain
becomes brittle through hardening and bursts,
the man dies from apoplexy lives with one
eide paralyzed. II one is INSTRUCTED in the heart
through hardening the man dies suddenly from
neuralgia of the heart or. as II is often wrongly
diagnosed acute indigestion. The bones grow
brittIe through lack of nutrition and n chemical
nrocess which causes them TO shrink The
brain gets smaller. becomes softened in parts
ond loses its vitality a result of the impaired
action of the heart and the lowering of the cir
cuIation due to the hardening OF the arteries.
The lungs lose their elasticity and the liver and
kidneys shrink in size and are unable TO get
rid Of the poisons which accumulate in the body.
The interest of humanity IN this quest for the
ar+idote TO old age is almost pathetic in it's in
tArsity, 1t has been manifested through all ages.
ord never TO a greater extent than at the present
tIr,e In the manifest desire of humanity 10
-ar,ain longer on earth is to be found the in
captive for all sorts OF panaceas to prOlOng the
autumn years of the aged Most of these cures
bave their origin in scientific truth or the
or,, which is pushed TO absurdity either by
veil meaning people with obliquity Of mental
,ision or by cunning charlatans. These latter
,sa hopeful arguments founded upon half
nth as a means Of catering to the intense hui
man interest In the subject In order 10 obtain