The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-11-18
BIG DEATH SECRET
French Scientist Makes Discov-
cries to ProIong Human Life.
Prof. Metchnikoff Asserts Old Age De-
veiops PrematureIy in Man as
Compared with Other Animals
Actual, Definite Disease.

delphia.-News of what are
termed astounding discoveries by Prof.
Ellie Metchnikoff, head Of the Pasteur
institute in Paris, by which it is be-
lieved the problem of longevity will at
last be solved. has been brought to
this city by DR.. F. Mortimer Lawrence,
who has just returned from abroad.
IL the theories of Prof. Metchnikoff
are correct. the mystery of the "foun-
tain of eternal youth" and the elixir
Of life." which have been sought for
centuries, will have been partly solved,
This does not mean that the
scientist believes he has discovered
the secret of eternal life, but that he
has found method of retarding death
for many years. If he is correct, the
life of man will be spread far beyond
the century mark.
The experiments which Prof. Metch-
nikof has been conducting have been
along the line of inquiry which he
has followed for several years. 1t is
his theory that death is disease, due
to the formation of putrefactive bac-
terra. These are formed in the large
intestine, and their effect is to poison
the blood. causing the hardening Of
the blood vessel walls.
This whole question:" said DR.. Law
renee. hinges on the nature of old
age. Hitherto biologists have regard
ed senility inevitable. the terminal
stage of life. and one of the most gen.
orally accepted theories attributed to
the condition of the failure of new
cells to develop in the place of worn
out cells.
or course, old age is inevitable, but
Prof. Metchnikoff now comes forward
with the statement that old age de-
Velops prematurely in man as COM
pared with the other animals. Going
a step further. he contends that old
age constitutes an actual, definite dis
ease.
1T is well-known that the harden.
ing OF the arteries and the other
phenomena of old age can occur even
In very young persons, as the result of
certain diseases, and notably as a con-
sequence OF prolonged poisoning with
some OF the metals. such as lead.
by analogy. Prof. Metchnikoff con-
Guided that constant absorption of
some similar poison is responsible for
tne TOO early appearance of old age in
man. II Is striking fact that ami.
mails that have no large intestines.
notably birds live to an advanced age
and preserve their youthful appear.
ance and agility to the end.
1t is also well known to scientists
that the lower intestine swarms with
bacteria which not only cause putre.
faction but produce poisons SO deadly
that should even the smallest amount
pass through the intestinal wall into
the blood grave and even fatal conse-
quences would ensue.
Accepting this theory, Prof Metch-
nixon and other European scientists
nave set to work to discover means
OF Kidding the intestines of putrefac.
i've bacteria without harm to the pa
tent This cannot be done with chem
icais. out Prof. Metchnikoff has sug-
gested that 1t might be possible to re-
place the harmful bacteria with others
whose presence would be a blessing
rather than curse.
IL was at first supposed that the
large amounts of Tactic acid produced
oy these bacteria did the work. hut
recent Investigations at the Pasteur
institute seem to demonstrate that it
Is some ferment totally distinct from
tactic acid, and investigations are be-
ing conducted of this ferment."