Evening star., 1912-03-10
Startling Experiments of
German Hospital Surgeon

some weeks he has been a close observer
of the world renowned cancer studies of
Prof. A. Won wassermann. =
Tremendous! Colossali'' In his spon-
taneous enthusiasm for the German in
vestigator's discoveries. these adject;ves
sprang naturally to his lips. They ndi-
Gated to the reporter who sought in
formation on the subject of DIR. Kiliani's
trip abroad that the star of the men of
science. II there be such one In the
galaxy of celestial luminaries, is now
shedding a peculiarly benign effulgence
over the German capital.
In the same breath the surgeon hasten
ed to add the word of caution indicative
of the conserva i've medical man. He had
not brought back a cancer cure: the
experiments had only been carried on
with mice. SO far. but the mice positively
had been cured; no test Of the Wasser-
mann treatment had been made with hui
man beings. and In all probability a year
or more must elapse before any report
could be expected relative to the value
or failure OF the chemical preparation in
human cancer. Any definite announce
ment must come. Of course, from DR. Won
Wassermann himself.
Following his statement of the literal
Wassermann. experiments, DR.. Kiliani
drew a vivid picture of the activities in
the laboratories Of the Royal Institute for
Infectious, Diseases in Berlin. He pic
tured Wassermann as young-only forty
three, which is young for great distinc-
ton in the world of science-good- look
Ing, sharp, clean-cut face, lively, quick
OF conception and speech. rather short,
very engaging in manner, and charming
In his intercourse with his collaborators
and assistants.
Despite the stir that Wassermann's an
circles, DIR. kiliani declared that every
thing was quiet in and around the
laboratories The work goes along easily
with but few Interruptions. Once In
while there is a caller, but there is no
| marked influx of visitors. Wassermann
himself Is described as colossal work.
er. but his efforts are Of the smooth, ur-
Jarrtng kind that ever mark the trained
scientific investigator
There was one very important visitor
to the laboratories-the great Ehrlich-
whose sensational discoveries in chemical
therapeutics are too recent to need re-
capitulation here. The Importance of the
visit of Enrich, the venerated scientist
or frankfort. lies in the fact that he
and Wassermann have now Joined forces
In the common cause and will see the
end of the present investigation out to-
gether. Ehriich's studies and discoveries
In the therapy Of blood diseases and
Wassermann's more recent studies in
cancer are both along the broad, general
line Of the efficiency OF chemotherapy
And SO, DR.. Kiliani said, the grave,
elderly gentleman from Frankfort and
the younger enthusiast of Berlin sat
down and talked over the whole problem
quietly and without fuss. Great things
are expected as the result OF these con-
ferences. Ehrlich already has accom-
pEshed the astonishing. the amazing, the
Wassermann for equally brilliant achieve
ments.
The question naturally asked is this:
What did DR.. kiliani find that Prof Won
Wassermann has accomplished? And this
in brief, is the answer: He has discov-
cred chemical preparation, an exact
scientific product OF the chemical labora-
tory. that can and does cure mice af-
fected with cancer. Before relating the
explanations made by Wassermann to
DIR. Kiliani. it is proper to set forth a
statement at the request Of the latter 1t
is to fhe effect that nothing has been
discovered since Wassermann published
the results of his experiments q few
weeks ago.
There IS, absolutely nothing new in
the whole matter OF interest to the laity
at large" said DR.. kiliani mo one,
neitheh l nor any one else, has the cancer
cure. in his possession. ANY rev COM
munications to the scientific world or to
the public would have to come from
Wassernann, whose mental property the
discovery is.
IF shall read paper on Wasser-
In, ht, v,U
demonstrations of specimens which Herr
Prof DR.. A. Won Wassermann has been
KIND enough to give me. it will be only
because Wassermann has given me the
suggested it himself. 1t goes without
saying that all further experiments on
animals have to be carried on by the
originators and nobody else.
Even II the treatment of human can
Ger shall be begun along these lines it will
be under. the immediate supervision of
Wassermann. All the clinical impress
sions will be gathered from one point of
view and by one man. Only after this has
been done could the preparation be given
into the hands Of other surgeons.
Il received such unlimited kindness
from Wassermann during my stay in
Berlin: he has been go unrestricted in
showing me the results of his inyestiga-
tons. and he showed such confidence in
me that 1 would not abuse his kindness.
| owe it to him and to myself to correct
the many incorrect and wrong statements
that have found their way into the daily
press
Dr.. kiilani referred to published state
ments to the effect that he had brought
back "A cancer cure. This. OF course. is
incorrect. What he did bring hack was
a host of lively Impressions Of Wasser
mann and his work and sense of graft
aication at the success which SO far has
attended the experiments in Berlin.
The chemical compound. of selenium and
eOsin which go to make up the prepara-
ton which cures mouse cancer Is pink
ish red powder. 1t has to Ue made into q
solution before it can be injected into
the subject Of experiment. This powder
Is very unstable. 30 unstable. in fact.
day to day before 1t can be used. Or.
kiliani brought some of the powder home
to show to his colleagues, but, OF course,
it. lost its chemical properties before he
arrived here, SO that it Is valueless for
experimental purposes, even II one were
inclined to test 1t on affected animals
The surgeon also received some glass
slides from Wassermann showing the va
rious stages of the experiments. These
are suitable for demonstrations on the
screen with lantern.
DR.. Kiliani visited Munich while
abroad and was received by the Prtn-
cess Rupprecht, the future Queen Of
Bavaria. Her highness is one Of his
former patients. Some eight years ago
she suffered an attack OF appendicitis.
and Dr., kiliani was summoned from
New York to perform the necessary
Chance often lights the way to great