New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-03
KOCH THEORY ATTACKED
Many Scientists Maintain Unity Of
Human and BORNE Tuberculosis

Washington. Oct. 2-The theory of DR.. Robert
Koch that the baciIH of bovine tuberculosis are
different from those of human tuberculosis was
challenged to-day by the solid array Of American
veterinarian delegates before the International
Congress tuberculosis. They Joined hands with
Professor 5 Arloing of France: DR.. Arthur News
holme. of London; DR.. Herman Schroeder OF
Austria: Professor G. Sims Woodhead. Of Cam
bridge. England: Professors J. Fibiger and c. o.
Jensen. Of Copenhagen; DR.. NJ P. Ravenel, OF
Madison, Wis. Professor TheobalG Smith, OF Bos-
ton, and others in asserting the fallacy Of the
opinions of the discoverer OF the Of tubercu-
loss. Discussion to-day did not by any means
close the controversy, doubtless il will be
waged indefinitely. with the scene shifting from the
platform TO the national publications Of the world
When on Wednesday last DR.. Koch declared be-
fore the congress that up date in case Of
pulmonary tuberculosis has the tubercle bacillus
Of the bovine type been definitely demonstrated
and that he still maintained his position that pull
monary tuberculosis produced oy the tubercle
bacillus Of the human type exclusively. he found
himself in sharp antagonsm with many eminent
European and American adherents OF the theory
Of the unity of the tubercIe bacilli. II had been
expected that DR.. Koch would recede from his
original position announced the British Congress
tuberculosis in 1901, and his statement that
series Of experiments carried for a long period
confirmed his original stand rekndled the fires Of
opposition.
The opponents of DR.. Koch's theory led by Pro
lessor Arloing, had hoped for a settlement OF the
question at this congress, and that end would pr6c-
ucaIly have been reached had not the German
scientist dashed their hopes by unexpectedly de-
claring his position anew. There is talk tonight
of bringing the subject the front at the general
session Of the congress tomorrow. So far DR..
Koch seems TO have few supporters. and those who
support him are not very aggressive Though the
strongest OF DR.. koch's opponents are foreigners.
there many American delegates besides the
veterinarians who antagonize his views, and when
on Wednesday last DR.. H. P Ravenel declared
after DR.. Koch had spoken that he would consider
II an extreme misfortune not only for this country
but for every country on the face Of the earth il
any impression should go from this congress that
even the small proportion of the deaths due 10
bovine bac was negligible quantity" he is be
eved to have expressed the consensus OF American
sentiment on this issue Dr. RaveneTs remarks
caused deep impression among the delegates from
both sides Of the Atlantic.
AssAILED BY VETERINARIANS.
The opposition 10 the Koch theory was further
expressed before a large number OF delegates at
to-day's session OF the section The Prevalence
and Economics Of tuberculosis Of Animals" The
German scientists theory OF the unity OF lie hu-
man and bovine turercle bacilH conbated by
Of the best known veterinary surgeons IN this
country. led by DR. Otto G. Noack, of Reading.
Penn; Dr. Arthur Hughes, Of Cornell University.
and others
The discussion was brief, but without exception
the speakers attacked the Koch theory. Dr.. Noack
recognized everywhere to-day Even the Prus-
sian government refutes Koch's theory by having
instigated the research work Of Dsmman and
Miissemeer and accepted their findings he said
Dr. Noack also cited the report OF the English
commission, which reiterated in 1907 Man and
beast can infect each other" All measures TO
protect man against the transmission OF tubercu-
losis from animals said Dr. Noack. tend at the
time to prevent the spread from animal TO
animal. The principal relations in this direction
ar md her in
In America" said Dr. Hughes, there Is gen
eral disagreement with the views of Koch mininiz
Ing the danger of animal tuberculosis TO man He
declared that this dIsa greement had brought about
the enactment good deal of precautionary SAM
tary legislation against tuberculosis Of the domestic
animals in the various states. He emphasized the
Importance Of coordination in veterinary legisIs
ton III the individual states against tuberculosis.
Others spoke in the vein.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION PLANNED
conference OF active workers in the bactert-
oloEv of tuberculosis was held behind closed doors
to-day for exchange Of views on the relation
Of human and bovine tuberculosis and the trans
instability of the latter human beings. This
conference was not part Of the congress pro
gramme but a private consultation among those
whose utterances OF this subject generally
garded authoritative. The conference was not
expected to yield. and did yield any positive
statement. Its effect TO organize sort OF in
formal commission of international scope 70 settle
as soon as the progress Of science permits, the re-
lations of bovine tuberculosis the tuberculosis
Of man Dr. Koch and many others took part IN
the discussion. Dr. Herman NJ Biggs, Of New
York. presided. Two questions propounded by Pro
fessor Koch discussed
There was general agreement that bovine tuber-
culosis may be transmitted to human beings. es-
pecially children, whom the disease takes the
form either Of Intestinal tuberculosis rubercu
losis of the cervfcal mesenteric lymph gland
The only essential difference of opinion found TO
exist was in regard the relative frequency with
which this occurs, Professor Koch maintaining
that If seldom happened while other observers
argued that it was not infrequent After an inter
estng discussion the subject referred for fur
Their investigation. in which Professor Koch prom
tsed TO take part in the next o three years
DR. Ladislaw Detre. OF Buda pest. to-day produced
twelve men whom he had inoculated with three
separate solutions Of tuberculin and whom he used
as living proofs of the correctness OF his theory
that the Koch tUberculin does not dinerentiate be
tween human and bovine tuberculosis. DR.. Detre
showed that the reaction in the case OF human
r,1herc1,osis was greater around spot inoculat
ed by human tubercJn, and that in the case OF
bovine tuberculosis the bovine reaction was greater
He called especial attention TO the fact that in
both cases the Koch tuberculin reacted about the
same and declared that the Koch tuberculin was
not so good as his for diagnosing early cases
OF consumption
The Responsibility Of Society for Tuberculosis'
was the theme OF discussion at the session Of the
section the Economic Aspects OF 1 uDeicu4osiS
IN which DR. Koch. Jacob A. Ris, of New York.
nv Gothold Pannwitz OF Berlin: DIR. Stafford of
Ireland. the Rev. Samuel NJ. Crothers. OF Cam
bridge Mass and Miss Kate Barnard. OF Okla
homa. took part
Or Koch called attention the establishment
~ a foundation named after the discoverer Of the
t,,berculosis bacillus. "Stiftung," growing out Of
the international crusade against the disease The
oo;ect Of the foundation aid scientific work in
the crusade by raising funds for investigation