The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-12-21

shutting off the capacious lower bowel,
and although this radical interference
has been most successful Metchnikon
does not suggest the universal adop-
tiontion of so extreme a measure. His
method is TO attack the fora OF mi
crObes. and prevent or reduce the in
testinal putrefaction they set up. A
vast number of experiments have been
made. the Object of which was to rem
der the contents of the large intestine
aseptic by treatment with disinfecting
agencies. Microbes and their spores,
however, are possessed of walls highly
resistant to the action of chemical
agencies, and it is impossible to in
troduce substances in sufficient bulk
and power to kill the microbes with
out doing serious harm to the living
cells that form the lining of the In
testine. 1t happens that the bacillf
which cause Tactic fermentation. those
which sour milk by Transforming some
of it's sugar into Tactic acid. are able
to become acclimatized in the intestine,
and that their presence under favor
able conditions arrests the activity of
the microbes which cause putrefac-
ton.
CURDs TO CHECK ADVANCING
AGE.
After exhaustive investigation of the
bacilli employed for souring milk in
various parts of the world. Metchni-
koff has found a strain of which pure
bacilli cultures can be made. These
can be introduced into the body In
various forms. Soured curds, prepared
the proper temperature of a leaven
containing the pure cultures" can be
eaten in quantities of a little more than
q tea-cup full once or twice a day.
Taken with sugar, the curds are quite
pleasant. Tabloids containing the pure
cultures in a dry condition may be
taken along with a milk diet. 1t is
necessary, however. that the general
diet should be as simple as possible.
Alcohol in any form. and even in small
quantities, is injurious; it aids the
process of putrefaction and interferes
with the action of the Tactic bacilli.
Metchnikoff himself limits his own
food practically TO milk, chocolate, and
bread; but if the diet be plain, there
seems to be no reason why it should
be limited to milk and vegetables. I'm
cooked fruits and salads are specially
to be avoided. as they are always con-
taminated in a high degree with the
spores of moulds and of various harm
full bacilli, while those which have been
grown in market gardens are often
charged with the bacteria of specific
diseases. The soured milk treatment
has been tried experimentally in q
large number of cases. and it's general
effect on the health has been carefully
investigated. There appears to be no
doubt as to it's efficiency in reducing or
almost completely preventing intestin-
al putrefaction.
It is possible, then, for science to
intervene in favor OF the higher cells
of the body in their warfare with the
phagocytes. by the conquest OF disease,
and by the arrest of the processes of
putrefaction, the absorbed poisons from
which are a constant menace to the
body. There are other methods which
are now being worked out, but which
already approach accomplishment. It
is possible to prepare serums that
have a definite effect in stimulating
the different elements of the body. and
although there are great practical diff
ficulties in the way of making and ex-|
perimenting with these. it seems prob
able that science viii be able to come
to the aid of any tissue that seems to
be weakening before it's due time.
THE INSTINCT OF LIFE.
The attainment of "orthobiosis''
would enormously increase the happi-
ness of human life. Human beings
would remain active and vigorous,
bodily and mentally. long after the
period at which most people are now
a burden to themselves and others. The
duration of the working period of each
individual life would be enormously
increased. But the psychological effect
would be even greater. Metchnikoff