New-York tribune., 1908-12-07
DISPUTE WITH DOCTORS.
Nathan Straus Says Koch Tubercu-
Iosis Theory Has Cost Many LiUcs.

At ? meeting OF the Judeans in the Hotel Astor
last night Nathan Straus took direct issue with
Dr Koch's contention that bovine tuberculosis was
not to be feared so far lung infection was con
cerned. Incidentally, he stated that he had Wflt-
ten to Dr. Koch, calling on him to be bold enough
TO back down from his position, taken ten years
ago this subject. and had received no reply.
Mr.. Straus added that believing that DR. hochs
position. being that of q recognized as so
high in authority. had cost many lives. he had
written the physicians interested IN the tuber-
culosis conference at Washington, asking their
opinion by vote That they had not done So he
said was due solely the fact that the physicians
desired. because OF Or. Koch's eminent services
in discovering anti-toxin to let him down easy
Mr.. Strauss statement was The signal for in
slant discussion. DR.. Frederick L. Wachenheinl'
of the tuberculosis exhibit. in reply 10 whose ad-
it had been made. asserted his belief IN Dr.
Koch and his theory. DR.. H. Illoway expressed
belief IN Mr.. Strauss views. Dr. s T Meltzer. OF
the Rockefeller Institute. also took part in the
discussion. Mr. Straus finally stated that DR.. Koch
had LETT America dscredited man because he
had proved himself unwilling 10 recede from
position which had been enormously taken
DR.. Wachenheim had said the city officials
pl11D7ed themselves too much DR.. Koch's state
1nent that New YOrk's sanitary regulations were
OF the best. DR.. Koch, he said. was authority for
the statement that tuberculosis contracted
from such causes dry sweeping the streets and
improper tenement house conditions, instead of
from tuberculous cattle.
Mr.. Straus then said:
feel obliged to take issue with the doctor who
has lust spoken: for I feel that such a statement
he has just made. citing DR.. Koch as an au-
thority. may cost many lives When Dr. hoch
said. ten years ago that bovine tuberculosis was
not transmittable he made assertion that
wrong in principle. ] believe That when a man
has been proven to be in the wrong he should
acknowledge that fact fairly and squarely. This
Dr. Koch would DO, and accordingly he left
here a discredited man.
The use Of milk forbidden TO the ancient he
brews No one permitted TO drink il unless
told that he could DO so by rabbi At any rate,
the milk from effected with tuberculosis was
never used, II was forbidden 10 drink the mix
Of COWS that were not healthy.
examination in a great number or cases, that in
the lungs.
But there other tubercular complaints IMAM
those Of the lungs" said Mr. straus.
Yes" said Dr. wachenheim. and children are
apt to be infected milder forms Of tubercular
trouble through the drinking of milk; but such
forms are not likely 10 prove fatal. believe that
II is well 20 have infected killed or, better
still isolated and their milk pasteurized. as Is the
rractice in Belgium: but what Dr. Koch wanted 10
place emphasis upon was the danger of getting
away from the real question OF sputum, the danger
caused by people who expectorate and haven't de
cencv or consideration enough for other people to
use handkerchiefs"
Dr. Meter said that after nine years of expert
ments the English. Danish and French expert
lnentalists were of the opinion that not more than
10 per cent OF tubercular cases were due to bovine
bacillus present the human body.
That's enough for me-" said Mr.. Straus- There
are 100000 deaths from tuberculosis IN the world
each year 10000 in this country-if only 2e9 OF
those are due TO bovine bacillus that is enough.