Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-03-26
THE INTERNATIONAL CON-
GRESS ON TUBERCULOSIS.

ed bv Governor Swanson TO the Inter-
national Congress on tuberculosis,
has sent the following report OF the
Congress to His Excellency. 1t is
prin.e here as an excellent summary
Of the main questions before the Con-
gress, and as succinct explanation
of the educational methods illustrated
in the various exhibits at the Con-
gress.
DR.. Carter's report is as follows:
Woodstock, Va, Oct. 26, 'OS.
To His Excellency, Governor Swan
son of Virginia:
Ny Dear Sir,-I attended the 'In-
ternationall Congress on Tuber-
culosis," which met at Washington,
d. c., in the New National Museum,
from September 2Sth to October ),
1908. the various exhibits continuing,
however, from September 2lst to Oc-
tober 18th.
This was, as the name implies, a
truly great convocation, from all
parts of the world, of men and women
whose thoughts and efforts are intent
ly fixed upon the prevention OF what
is recognized as one of the most dead
ly foes of the human family-tubercu-
lOsis.
Nations, States, cities and private
institutions, all deeply concered in
the eradication of this foe OF human
kind, were represented on this oc-
casion, some more elaborately and
extensively than others. Men ot
worldwide fame were in attendance
and contributed their share to make
the occasion memorable.
One OF the most conspicuous OF
these, veritable Nestor in the camp,
was Or. Robert Koch. of Berlin,
, who's theory OF the relation between
human and bovine tuberculosis caused
more discussion than did any other
topic during the entire meeting. As
the discOverer of the tubercle germ, he
maintained that the bacillus cannot
be transferred from animals to the
human kind. In his main address he
said:
"Up to date, in no case OF pulmo'
nary tuberculosis, has the tubercle
bacillus of bovine type been definitely
demonstrated.
This oracular statement called forth
many counter statements and pre-
cipitated the great controversy OF the
convention. DR.. Johann S. Febiger,
| Copenhagen, Denmark, presented a
paper in which he said:
"Now, the wrong of Koch's opinion
being generally recognized, one does
not forget that the transmissibility o.
of bovine tuberculosis to man is point
ed out by extensive investigations
from the last years"
DR.. NJ. p. Ravenel, OF Madison
Wisconsin, presented the subject frou
the American point of view. He op
posed DR.. Koch, saying:
ION the correct solution OF thi;
question depends, no doubt, the heaitl
of many children, and even their lives
and / would consider it an extreme
misfortune, not only for this courtry
but to every country on the face o
the earth, If any impression shoul'
go from this meeting that even tn
small proportion of deaths due to tn
bovine bacillus was neglible quan
tity."
Without giving, in detail, the lin
of discussion, it may be stated tina
when the final vote of delegates wa
taken, DR.. Koch was apparent
outvoted.
One of the reports of the Congress
published in city paper said:
"Dr. Robert Kochs theory that tn
human family cannot become infecte
with the bacilli of bovine tuberculosis
probably will no longer be accepte
by the great majority OF the grea
army of medical and scientific me
D who are combating the most deadl
, enemy of mankind" "
"Dr. Koch was on the carpet fc
q more than three hours, and while b
, would not agree with his colleagues
| it was, it is said, because he was
delegate from Germany, and ths
7 Kaiser Wilhelm and the entire popul'
, tien OF the German Empire believed
? the theory advanced by DR.. Koch"
5 Should he yield, it was suggested
> he would lose his prestige as sciel
3 tist, and would be considered q
enemy to the German dairymen ar
industries.
While the published reports see
to indicate victory over the Koc
theory, IL is reported by the caref
and conscientious attendants that Il
d real mission of the Congress, viz
: to establish the tuberculin test al
g make il compulsory, was lett ju
where it was before the Congress wi
=. held. Whatever is due in n legi
d lative way will have to be done wit
- out the endorsement of the Ipte
= I national Congress on Tuberculcs
y just held.
" To witness In this great conventi'
y representatives from most oil the n
ct tions of Europe, some from Asia al
South America, together with tho
fron Canada and all parts of {
= United States was taken as eviden
1 that general interest In the subje