The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-01-16

0EOulSSS VI HuuduILy-CdnC0r ana
tubercuiosis-ha been discovered,
though the usual sensational an
nouncements to that effect have not
been wanting. There has been in
creased activity in the study Of can
Ger especially, and the results OBJ
tanned experimentally by the use Of
Selenium and the colloidal metals in
the treatment Of malignant disease
inspires the hope that the conquest
of this most dreaded Of the enemies
of mankind is not far distant.
The international Congress on
tuberculosis was held in Rome in
April, but nothing came Of it beyond
encouragement to continue the cam
paign Of education along the present
lines. The same may be said Of the
International Congress on Hygiene
and Demography held in Washing
ton IN September During 1912, as
for some years past, vast amount
Of energy has been expended in the
domain Of hygiene and preventive
medicine, and the results have been
corresponding gratifying. What
has been accomplished in that direc-
ton, not indeed all in this year, but
in, say, the last decade, is much
greater than the general public re-
allies. For instance, New York may
be said to be absolutely secure
against any epidemic outbreak of
disease, whether of cholera, the
plague, or typnus fever, and the
knowledge is available to make New
Orleans and other Southern cities
equally immune against an invasion
of yellow fever The causes and
manner of spread of practically all
infectious diseases are now known
and so is the means of prevention of
epidemics. When epidemics occur
today they do so through 1axity on
the part of health officials, for they
are preyentable. Gratifying to the
sanitarian is also the new view which
American life insurance companies
are taking of their function in the
instruction of their policy holders
and the community in general in re-
gard to the conservation of health.
The award of the Nobel prize for
medical discovery to DR.. Carrel Of
the Rockefeller Institute in this city
has called attention to the wonders
which he has accomplished in trans
planting tissues and parts of organs
and in growing animal cells outside
of the body. The practical uses Of
the latter are not yet apparent, but
that this discovery will eventually be
utilized in some as yet unsupported
way is more than probable.
The almost epidemic prevalence of
infantile paralysis in several parts
of the United States has furnished
the opportunity, hitherto lacking, for
a careful study of that disease. One
resulting discovery has been that the
disease may be spread by the bite Of
the stable fly, discovery which
should sound the death kneIl of this
insect. It is also and doubtless most
commonly spread by direct infection,
the virus lodging on the mucous
membrane of the nose and being car
ried thence to the brain and spinal
cord. However, this is more or less
cOnjectural, and the problem of in
fantile paralysis, as regards both its
mode Of COntagiOn and its treatment,
still awaits definite solution.
Whether 1913 will bring to a reali-
iZatiOn the dreams Of the conquest
of tuberculosis and cancer-of their
cure or of their prevention, or both
one dare not say, but that the
close Of that year will find us per-
ceptibly nearer to that realization
can be affirmed with confidence. The
work of the sanatariums will be
along with measures for preventing
b. ho u ~