New-York tribune., 1908-09-30
THE TUBERCULOSIS CONGRESS.

The spirit Of human brotherhood is nobly
exempliied in the assembling OF men ana
women from every civilized country III the
world for the purpose of waging war on dis
ease The international peace congress which
convened last year at The Hague had no hlgher
aim than the tuberculosis congress now IN
session in Washington. The former body sought
to save life and TO prevent the desolation OF the
household by precluding resort to arms in the
arbitrament of international controversies. The
latter seeks to avert the sorrow and manifold
losses to society which result from deaths hav-
ing another cause Moreover, the great white
plague for many years found more victims than
any other malady to which flesh Is heir, the
crusade against it is proportionately worthy.
One of the most notable incidents of the open
ing formalities on Monday was, the demonstra-
ton in honor of Robert Koch when he rose TO
report on the progress made in the country ne
represents The distinguished German mas
reached on more than one vital question con-
clusons which have not been generally accepted
by other experts engaged in the same line of
study. In some instances, it is to be feared, he
has misled Others having first misled himself
It must be remembered, however, that every one
who explores new fields, whether Of physcal
geography or of knowledge concerning human
ills, is liable to make mistakes at the outset
If Koch'S endeavors to develop an antttoXin for
tuberculosis were not as successful he hoped
they might be, 1t was far more credltable TO
strive and fall than not to strive at all Be-
sides the time has not yet come for estimating
the Importance and influence of these efforts
The researches which were inspired by his e1-
ample have not ceased and may yet bear rich
fruit.
Furthermore Il Koch was unfortunate or
premature In some of his announcements, these
were more than counterbalanced by his unique
service to his fellow man. He was the first to
identify the bacillus of tuberculosis and thus
to revolutionize the methods Of fighting the dis
ease. His discovery of the bacillus Of cholera
and his contribution to the arts Of the bacteri-
illogical laboratory supply additional claims to
the appreciation of his professional brethren.
But giving the world the key to the nature of
tuberculosis was an achievement of far greater
value, and entities him to the lasting gratitude
of mankind He richly deserved the homage
paid him at Washington, and this country is
fortunate in having opportunity to welcome
him.
Some day. it is to be hoped, Americans will
have chance 10 show their appreciation Of
compatriot of Koch, who has long been enlisted
in the same splendid work. Won Behring is best
known for the antitoxin used In fighting
diphtheria. Attempts have been made to secure
immunity against other diseases by the manu-
facture of a serum from the characteristic germ
of the malady, but none Of them has been at
tended with such happy results as this. Or
late however, Won Behring has tried to utilize
the same principle to render both men and cat
tie immune against tuberculosis. Whether his
later ambition is ever fully realized or not, he
has already won the profound admiration of all
who are familiar with his record.