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diff --git a/27181.txt b/27181.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4fecc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/27181.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2945 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Prof. Koch's Method to Cure Tuberculosis +Popularly Treated, by Max Birnbaum + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Prof. Koch's Method to Cure Tuberculosis Popularly Treated + +Author: Max Birnbaum + +Translator: Fr. Brendecke + +Release Date: November 7, 2008 [EBook #27181] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK METHOD TO CURE TUBERCULOSIS *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Norbert H. Langkau and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + [Illustration: DR. ROBERT KOCH.] + + + PROF. KOCH'S + + _METHOD TO CURE_ + + TUBERCULOSIS + + _POPULARLY TREATED_ + + BY + + DR. MAX BIRNBAUM. + + _TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN_ + + BY + + DR. FR. BRENDECKE. + + _With an Appendix being Prof. Koch's First Communication + on the Subject, translated from the_ + + _DEUTSCHE MEDICINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT_ + + _and explanatory notes by the author._ + + + MILWAUKEE, WIS., + H. E. HAFERKORN, + PUBLISHER. + 1891. + + COPYRIGHT 1890, + BY + H. E. HAFERKORN. + + PRESS OF THE + HARTMANN PRINTING CO., + 126 Reed St., + MILWAUKEE, WIS. + + + + +Translators Preface. + + +Consumption is curable. From time to time the news of some great +discovery rushes over the land like a mighty wave; but never before has +the intelligence of a great achievement been received with such +universal delight. There is hardly a man, woman or child that does not +bewail the loss of some dear relative taken away by Tuberculosis, the +most terrible of all foes. More terrible because it stealthily creeps +into the system and takes a firm hold before its presence can even be +surmised. + +Now the appearance of a deliverer is hailed as would the advent of the +Messiah. Koch, formerly a poor and obscure student, being especially +interested in bacteriology has plodded and worked for years. Even in the +year 1882 he has made known to the world the evil spirit in describing +the tubercle-bacillus as the specific generator of tuberculosis. We then +knew the enemy but had no weapon to fight him. Now Koch has also +manufactured the sword with which to combat the evil genius. The +experimental tests thus far have not tended to lessen the merits of +Koch's remedy. Added applications have resulted in additional success. +The investigations are not yet complete; only meager particulars have +thus far been given to the public from authorized sources. To guard +against misleading representations the translator has undertaken to give +to the American public only what has actually been achieved. He felt +himself called upon to do this not only because he has followed the +progress of Koch's labors with the keenest interest, but also because he +himself has worked and labored on this field for many years. + + + + +Justly has a vast excitement taken hold of all classes of the people, an +excitement that has caused all other contemporary events to fall back. +The search for an actual remedy for that exceedingly ravaging disease, +tuberculosis, has at last been crowned with success, and even the most +uneducated will be able to estimate the significance of this event. + +We need but consider, that pulmonary consumption, the most frequent form +of tuberculosis, annually demands over 30,000 victims in the cities of +the German Empire over 15,000 inhabitants, and out of every 100 deceased +12-13 have fallen prey to this sickness. + +The number of sufferers from pulmonary consumption can not nearly be +determined, it certainly exceeds all other diseases by far. In the case +of many people we can only infer from their appearance and hereditary +tendencies, before visible signs can be discovered, that they will +succumb to this terrible disease. + +And this disease is now curable. Millions of people who have considered +themselves doomed, will be given back to life; their regained strength +will greatly increase the national wealth. In short, we look forward to +an era, such as was not dreamt of even by the most vivid imagination +only a few years back. But rather than be carried too far by our +enthusiasm, let us study Koch's new method to cure, as far as we are now +enabled to pass judgement on it. + +First of all we must explain: _What is tuberculosis? What relation does +it bear to pulmonary consumption?_ + +Pulmonary consumption is only one form of tuberculosis, by far the most +frequent. This is the reason why pulmonary consumption, pulmonary +tuberculosis, consumption and tuberculosis are used as _synonymous_ +terms. + +Tuberculosis is the _general_ expression. By that we understand a +disease which is generated by a certain kind of organism belonging to +the class of bacteria. These organisms are the tubercle bacilli, which +were discovered by Koch in the year 1882. + +Now these tubercle bacilli settle most frequently in the lungs and here +cause serious derangements of the lung tissue. _Pulmonary consumption_ +is the result. + +But the tubercle bacilli will also settle in any other portions of the +body and cause tuberculosis. + +Frequently the tubercle bacilli nestle in the _larynx_ and the result is +_laryngeal consumption_. + +They may infect the mucous lining of the tongue and nasal passages and +cause the rarely occurring diseases--_tuberculosis of the tongue and +nose_. + +More frequently tuberculosis of the intestines results, the well-known +_intestinal consumption_. + +The spreading of tuberculosis in the brain is of especial importance on +account of the importance of this organ. Very frequently small children +are attacked by _tuberculosis_ of the _cerebral membranes_, a disease +that has heretofore unexceptionally resulted in _death_. + +Much oftener than is generally supposed the _kidneys_ are the seat of +tuberculosis; and also the _suprarenal capsules_, whose functions are as +yet entirely unknown, have in postmortem examinations been found to be +tubercularly degenerated. + +In the diseases of the _bones_ and _joints_ tuberculosis forms an +important part. Those infinitely small and weak tubercle-bacilli have +the power to destroy the hard and firm substance of the bones, to soften +it and change it to pus. Whole portions of bone may disappear in this +way. + +Tuberculosis can also destroy parts of the _skin_. In this case it is +called _Lupus_. + +Finally tuberculosis is found in the _generative organs_. Tubercular +derangements are frequently met with in the _testicles_ of men, less +often in the _ovaries_ of women. + +The well known children's disease _Scrofula_ is considered a preceding +stage of tuberculosis by many physicians. This much is certain that +Scrofula inclines to tuberculosis. + +Let us study the several forms of tuberculosis after this general +synopsis; we will begin with pulmonary consumption. + + + + +Pulmonary Consumption. + + +Even before the discovery of the tubercle-bacillus by Koch, different +scientists had claimed that pulmonary consumption was caused by the +immigration of bacteria into the lungs, and several of them had found +bacteria of that kind. But it remained for Koch to bring light upon the +conjectures of other scientists, and he established the fact, that the +bacillus discovered by him was the real generator of pulmonary +consumption. Millions of these bacilli exist in the lungs of the +diseased, and millions of them are thrown out with the sputum. + +If we take a very small quantity of this thrown out matter and examine +it with a microscope, we will find a greater or smaller number of these +tubercle bacilli. Of course the preparation to be microscopically +examined must previously be colored with some coloring matter, otherwise +it is very difficult, well nigh impossible, to detect the infinitely +small bacilli. The method of coloring now generally in use consists in +discoloring the preparation after the coloring has been completed, it is +found that the bacilli tenaciously cling to the coloring matter, and in +this way it is easy to recognize the tubercle-bacilli under the +microscope. + +These bacilli are infinitely minute, they are 2/1000 to 8/1000 +millimeters long, and about 5/100000 millimeters in width. Therefore it +is absolutely impossible to recognize them with the naked eye. Generally +they are somewhat bent, sometimes slightly nicked at one end. + +The temperature of boiling water destroys the vitality of the bacilli +under all circumstances. Even a temperature of 70 deg. C. is able to +lessen the efficacy of the bacilli. Unhappily this temperature is too +high to be applied against the tubercle-bacilli in the human body without +causing the most serious injury to it. Nevertheless it has been tried, +we will speak of this later on. + +Then the drugs that kill the bacteria, such as Carbolic Acid, Alcohol, +Iodoformether, Ether, Sublimate, Thymol, destroy the tubercle-bacilli so +slowly and only in such high concentrations that their application is +impossible without endangering the patient. Therefore the prospects of +directly destroying the bacilli in the human body had to be given up as +impossible. + +We are now confronted with two questions: + + 1. In what manner does the tubercle-bacillus enter into the human + organism? + + 2. Under what conditions is the tubercle-bacillus able to generate + pulmonary consumption after it has entered the human organism? + +All investigations, both of earlier and later date have established the +fact that the tubercle-bacillus is inhaled with the air, and then it is +mainly the foul air which is accused. But foul air is especially found +in such places where people congregate, as in rooms, barracks, +factories, etc. As it is a fact that there are always several +consumptives among a number of people, so in this case there will always +be occasion to inhale the tubercle-bacilli that have been cast out by +the consumptives. Therefore it is not the foul air in itself which +generates pulmonary consumption, but the circumstance that in this +connection there are always people present which are able to spread and +scatter the bacilli. + +Luckily the physical qualities of the tubercle-bacilli are such that +they mostly adhere to the ground or floor and are rarely scattered in +the air as dust; otherwise pulmonary consumption would be much more +frequent than it is at present. Unfortunately the bacilli are very often +spread through uncleanliness of the people, because they touch objects +with their fingers to which the tubercle-bacilli chance to stick and +then they touch their mouth or nose with these fingers. In this way +bacilli can be taken into the system especially easily with the food. +Children are particularly exposed to contamination, crawling about on +the ground, on which, perhaps but recently, a consumptive has spit, and +more so because they often have the habit to put all sorts of things +and also the generally dirty fingers into their mouth. + +On the other hand there are various obstacles in the way of +tubercle-bacilli entering the lungs. The distance from the mouth to the +lungs is long and narrow; all sorts of projections check the further +penetration of the bacilli. The trachea and the air-passages of the +lungs possess equipments arranged for the purpose of ejecting small +foreign substances, thus also to throw out the bacilli. In short it is +not too easy a matter for the bacilli to penetrate into the lungs. + +And yet this happens only too often. For instance, in some people the +passage from the mouth down may be a wide one, so that the bacilli can +enter more easily; the protective arrangement by which foreign +substances are removed may be deranged, it may be wanting in some place +or its functionary qualifications may be bad; especially frequent this +is the case after enfeebling diseases, which are associated with severe +cough, as measles, whooping-cough, etc. This is the reason why pulmonary +consumption is strikingly often observed to follow just these diseases. + +But the tubercle-bacillus can also enter the body with the food, as +stated before. The acid gastric juice is a protective agent which +considerably lessens the danger of infection by tuberculosis. + +It has not been definitely decided at the present time whether the +drinking of milk from tuberculous cows brings with it the danger of +tuberculosis for mankind. It will certainly be best to avoid such milk, +especially when the cow's udder is found to be tuberculously diseased or +when tubercle-bacilli can be traced in the milk. + +The use of meat as food may also become dangerous to man, but this is a +rare occurrence. It is particularly dangerous to eat the liver, kidneys +and lymphatic glands of tuberculous animals. The boiling heat while +cooking generally destroys the bacilli contained therein and so lessens +the danger from this source. It is of no little importance, to call +particular attention to the fact that our chickens are very often +severely infected with tuberculosis. + +The question, whether a consumptive can _infect his surroundings_, may +be answered thus, that this does _not_ happen as a rule. Several unhappy +circumstances must come together to make this possible. Above all things +a direct transmission of tubercle-bacilli in some way into the body of +the healthy person, then the bacilli must cling and propagate in the +same, which is only possible when there is an inclination to this +disease, of course this inclination is quite common. + +Pulmonary consumption is _not hereditary_ in the strict sense of the +word. Only an inclination to this disease is transmitted. As the danger +of contagion of those having such disposition is very great, so as a +rule the disease makes its appearance sooner or later. + +On the other hand it must be considered that the penetration _only_ of +the tubercle-bacilli into the body is _not_ sufficient to generate +tuberculosis. If they do not find the ground adapted to their +nourishment and propagation they perish. It may be assumed that every +person is placed in such circumstances at some time that he will take in +tubercle-bacilli; but only a certain percentage will get consumption. In +the remainder the bacilli perish without leaving even a trace. + +Very often the inclination to pulmonary consumption may be recognized +from the external characteristics. As a rule the respective individuals +have a slight body, thin lean skin, weak muscles, delicate skeleton, a +long, narrow, flat chest, flattening of the regions over and below the +shoulderblades, wide intercostal spaces, a winglike projecting of the +scapulae, long neck, clubby, knoblike appearance of the ends of the +fingers. + +Furthermore it has been found, that pulmonary consumptives on an average +have a _smaller heart_ than is essential to a healthy body. On the other +hand the volume of the lungs of consumptives is very often abnormally +large. + +There are a large number of _diseases_ that predispose to pulmonary +consumption. It is mainly the _enfeebling_ action of the same, which +brings about such results. For this reason the _chronic_ diseases +contribute so much toward the multiplication of the number of +consumptives, because they stipulate a continuous weakening of the +organism and an emaciation of the system. To these belong Bright's +disease, which very often turns into pulmonary consumption, +greensickness or chlorosis, anaemia, continued febrile diseases, severe +chronic suppuration, chronic catarrh of the stomach, frequent +pregnancies, childbed diseases. Thus we may often see young chlorotic +girls afflicted with consumption, especially when they marry young and +enjoy the honeymoon to its utmost limits. Then also women will easily +become consumptive when they give birth to a child every year, +especially when the social conditions in which they live are of an +unfavorable nature, and they are perhaps inclined to consumption +already. Childbed on the whole inclines to arousing the dormant +inclination toward pulmonary consumption. + +Of other diseases we have mentioned measles and whooping cough, as +diseases that are only too easily succeeded by consumption. To these may +be added typhus, especially when it is of a more protracted nature, and +the reconvalescence is slow and incomplete. + +Furthermore all those workmen that have to do with dust, are exposed to +the danger of being stricken with pulmonary consumption. The dust enters +the lungs, irritates and injures the same and so produces a favorable +soil for any tubercle bacilli that may happen to penetrate. On the whole +metal dust is more injurious than mineral dust. Workmen, that are +exposed to animal dust, as furriers, saddlers, brushmakers, fall prey to +consumption much oftener than those, that fulfill their vocation in air +pregnant with vegetable dust. According to statistics workingmen are +stricken with pulmonary consumption as follows: of glass workers 80 per +cent., needle grinders 70, filemakers 62, stone cutters 40, mill +grinders, lithographers, cigarmakers, brushmakers, stone-polishers +40-50, millers 10, coal workers 1 per cent. + +Pneumonia may culminate in pulmonary consumption: but on the whole this +rarely happens. Much oftener it is the case with Pleurisy. But it is +assumed and rightly, that most people who are attacked by pleurisy, are +already consumptive. + +A hemorrhage of the lungs may nearly always be considered a sure sign +that consumption has taken hold of the respective individual; but such a +hemorrhage certainly forms considerable danger to falling a victim to +tuberculosis, if the individual is as yet free from the same. + +Age has a particularly decided influence on the origin of consumption; +it is extremely rare before the third or fourth year, from that to the +seventh it is more frequent; it most frequently occurs in the age from +the fifteenth to the thirtieth year, and from there on the chances are +again fewer. In very old age it is again very rare. + +There seems to be no essential difference as regards sex. + +_Insufficient_ or _defective nourishment_ acts as a promoter in various +ways. Even the nourishing of infants with poor milk, with bread or +flour-pap increases the disposition to pulmonary consumption. If this +defective nourishment is continued, scrofula will surely follow and this +is a stage antecedent to consumption. + +Pulmonary consumption is relatively more frequent among the _poorer_ +than the _well to do people_, this is partly due to the meagre and +scanty food of the poorer, and that they are obliged to subsist almost +exclusively on vegetable diet. The higher the meat prices rise and the +less the majority of the people can afford to procure meat, the larger +will be the number of consumptives. The poorly nourished offer a good +soil for the tubercle bacilli in consequence of their weakness. The +tissue offers little or no resistance to the growth of the bacilli, +these propagate and destroy the powerless and yielding organism with +fearful rapidity. + +The _frequency_ of pulmonary consumption increases with the _size of the +cities_, or, which is the same, with the number of proletarians. Extreme +hunger and want are less frequent in the country than in the city. + +That the climate has an important influence on the appearance of +pulmonary consumption has long been known. In certain elevated regions +this disease seldom or never appears. This experience has been attained +in Switzerland and many other mountain regions. Furthermore the Plateaux +of Peru and Mexico are considered free from consumption, but also +lowlands like Iceland, the Kirgheez steppes and the interior of Egypt +are known to be exempt. + +_Damp and windy climate_, especially with very high temperature, or +abrupt changes in the temperature promotes consumption; on the other +hand it is less frequent in the more moderated climates, especially if +they are dry. + +Now when the tubercle bacilli have settled in the lungs, they cause +various symptoms. One of the most frequent is _cough_. In the beginning +of the disease a short, clear but light, very often dry cough appears. +During the further development of pulmonary consumption the cough +becomes more periodic; it appears early after awaking, in the afternoon +after dinner, and evenings at lying down; it may disappear entirely in +the meantime or may be light only; but then as a rule it is no longer +dry, but may be attended by expectorations of a varied nature. + +[Illustration: Section of a tuberculous knot in the lungs, in which two +cavities are seen filled with numerous bacilli. The bacilli distinctly +appear as dark lines as a result of the coloring. Enlargement 900.] + +[Illustration: Tubercle bacilli, Enlargement 2000. + +To the left bacilli without spores, to the right bacilli with colorless +sections which are thought to be spores.] + +The tubercle bacilli destroy the lung tissue and change it into pus, +which is coughed out. In this way larger and smaller cavities are formed +in the lungs; finally the cavities may even take more space than the +remaining lung tissue. When cavities have already been formed, coughing +comes easy and with abundant expectoration. Toward the end of life the +coughing and spitting stops as a result of the extreme feebleness and +weakness. + +The violence and frequency of the cough depends mainly whether the +larger bronchial tubes and the trachea are affected; the more this is +the case, the more violent the inclination to cough. Further the +strength of the cough depends on the excitability of the patient; the +greater this is, the more as a rule will he cough. Sometimes the +position of the patient is of influence; if he lies mostly on the +diseased side the expectoration becomes more difficult and coughing +increases. + +Coughing is generally that symptom which soonest attracts the attention +of the patient and his surroundings. For that very reason consumption is +in its beginning stages easily confounded with such other diseases as +are also accompanied by cough. + +At the same time we know of exceptional cases where cough was entirely +absent in the first stages of the disease, or was at least so slight +that it was overlooked, and under such conditions the pale and poor +appearance and reduced strength is mistaken for chlorosis or some other +anaemic affection, also the existing febrile excitements are wrongly +judged, or on account of lack of appetite or light derangements of the +stomach a stomachic affection is surmised, until suddenly a hemorrhage +of the lungs clearly defines the true nature of the ailment. + +On the other hand the cough may become so violent that vomiting is +caused at the same time. Nevertheless many consumptives describe their +cough as very unimportant on account of their innate sorrowless nature, +and they will not even be discouraged by the gravest symptoms. Often +however it is fear that induces the patients to make light of their +coughing, their spitting blood, their losing flesh and to place but +little importance on these circumstances. A _hoarse_ cough is a sure +sign of a diseased _larynx_. + +Many consumptives complain of cutting pains between the shoulderblades, +under the clavicles or in the side; but these are rarely intense and are +often entirely wanting. Unfortunately it is unknown to the average +layman that the internal organs may suffer extensive tearing down +without an indication of pain. + +The _Expectoration_ of consumptives which is thrown out by coughing with +great exertion, is but scant in the beginning, as a rule phlegmy, glassy +transparent and sticky. It is one of the suspicious symptoms of +developing pulmonary consumption if this lasts for any greater length of +time. Sometimes sharply defined, yellowish stripes, at times branching, +appear in the same. Later on the expectoration becomes more purulent, +and of greenish-yellow or greenish-gray color. + +Still later the patients throw out rounded lumps of greenish yellow or +yellowish green color, which flatten out like a coin in the spittoon. +They sink in water which is a sign of forboding evil. + +_Blood_ appears in different quantities in the sputum of consumptives. +Bloody streaks are of no importance; they may appear with every violent +cough. On the other hand the casting out of _pure blood_ is indeed +serious. + +The _quantity_ of blood thrown out during an attack may be very +different, varying from a few drops hardly a teaspoonful, to hundreds of +grammes, even more than a liter. It is generally light red, filled with +airbubbles, foamy, and is largely coughed out in coagulated lumps. The +coughing of blood is sometimes preceded by a feeling of oppression, +rushing of blood to the head and palpitation. Some patients experience a +sweet taste in the mouth even before the bleeding. In many cases all +preceding symptoms are missing and the patient is suddenly attacked by +blood coughing during some more vigorous movement, during the exertion +of coughing or even without any direct cause. + +_Blood coughing_ seems to appear somewhat more frequently with the +_female_ sex than with the male and has with them unmistakable relations +to menstruation, as with the sick it often sets in before, often after +or even during the same and at such times more frequently than at +others. + +It is of great importance for the layman to know that a hemorrhage +rarely leads to inevitable death. Fatal hemorrhages are always preceded +by warning attacks. Blood coughing may appear at any stage of +consumption. In some cases it is particularly lasting. Sometimes the +patients experience considerable relief from their feeling of oppression +after a hemorrhage. + +A number of the consumptives as a rule complain of _difficulty_ in +_deglutition_. This is caused by ulcers on the posterior wall of the +larynx. + +With many patients the _appetite_ is _undisturbed_ for a long time, and +there are consumptives that will eat a comparatively large dinner during +an attack of fever reaching 40 deg. C. Generally the desire to eat +disappears during the course of the disease, especially toward the end +of the sickness. + +The _stool_ may be normal or costive, but is very often diarrhoetic. +Twelve or more evacuations may take place during a day; as a rule they +are much increased by gasses and are of bad odor. They weaken the +patient very much and hasten the end. + +One of the most constant attendants during the course of consumption is +the _Fever_. It is rather irregular. In cases of slow process the fever +is often very insignificant; often it is only a state of general +excitement that takes hold of the patient afternoons, slight dizziness, +increased lustre of the eyes, slightly flushed appearance, somewhat +increased pulse, which invites to test the temperature of the body by +means of a thermometer, which by the way shows it to be about 38 deg. C. +With quick consumption the fever is generally high. + +_Sweat_ is also a characteristic sign. The exceedingly debilitating +effect of night-sweats is well known. + +During the course of pulmonary consumption extreme _emaciation_ of the +patient is brought about. All tissues are subject to the same, most +marked is the disappearance of adipose tissue. This symptom is of the +greatest importance as a continued increase in weight means improvement +and even cure. Therefore weighing the patient from time to time gives a +sure meter for the course of the disease. + +The _course_ of pulmonary consumption is very different. With quick +consumption the end comes within two or three months. Chronic pulmonary +consumption may last for years. With this improvements in the fine +season alternate with deterioration in the winter. + +Concerning the former _treatment_ of pulmonary consumption, this will +also be applied in the future in the same manner as far as preventive +means and general hygiene is referred to. + +For every one will prefer to remain exempt from consumption although it +may now be possible to cure those afflicted. The lately published and +popularly treated precautionary measures, especially with reference to +the expectoration of consumptives retain their full value. + +Henceforth the sputum is also to be thrown in a _spittoon_ which is +either entirely empty or on account of easier cleansing has the bottom +covered with a thin layer of water. It should not be permitted to fill +the spittoons with sand or sawdust as the tubercle bacilli can be easily +thrown up with the dust. + +In the case of a _sudden attack_ of _cough_ a _cloth_ should be held to +the mouth to hinder spreading of the fine spray, the same should also be +used for wiping the mouth. However the cloth must soon be dampened and +cleaned. + +As bits of the sputum easily stick to the _beard_ especially the +moustache overhanging the lips, therefore lung consumptives are advised +to wear a short or no beard. + +_Glasses_, _spoons_, etc. used by consumptives must only be used by +other persons after a thorough cleaning with hot water. + +The lungdiseased person should abstain from all active and passive +_kissing_, in unavoidable cases kissing should be done on the forehead +or cheek only, or hold out those parts only to be kissed. In the same +way he should avoid to touch objects with his mouth that may possible be +put in the mouth by other persons, especially children, for instance +toy-trumpets. + +In the case of _death_ from pulmonary consumption, the walls of all +rooms and apartments used by the deceased should be rubbed down with +fresh baked bread, which is a sure method of removing the bacilli. The +bread crumbs that may have dropped on the floor may be removed by a +thorough scrubbing with soap, brush and lye. + +Upholstered furniture, beds, clothes and wash should be cleaned in a +disinfecting place. + +Do not wait with precautionary measures till some member of the family +has been attacked by pulmonary consumption, but make preparation to +prevent the infection while everybody is still sound and healthy. + +This care ought to begin in a measure with the _birth of a child_. The +same should not be nursed by a mother with diseased lungs nor by a +wet-nurse with like affections. Generally wet-nurses are only tested for +syphilis; scrofula and tuberculosis receive altogether too little +attention. + +An important precautionary measure consists in the supervision of the +_food_. The abattoirs and dairies should be placed under the supervision +of practical physicians, and the sale of products derived from +tuberculous cattle be prohibited. This refers to the milk in the first +instance. Tuberculous cows should be excluded from dairy-farms. Raw milk +should be avoided as much as possible as boiled milk has the same value. + +The _meat inspection_ must be strictly conducted especially with +reference to tuberculosis in the case of beef, pork and chickens. Sheep +are not subject to tuberculosis. + +The _associations_ of children in school and on the play-ground should +be watched; do not let them visit in strange families before making +thorough investigation as to their sanitary relations. + +The health of _servant girls_ should receive greater attention than +formerly, as the disease is often carried into the house by them as +investigation has proven. + +In the _schools_ and kindergartens the teacher ought to insist that +children do not spit on the floor or in the handkerchief; in case of +necessity he should keep sick children out of school and he should +especially follow these precautionary measures as regards his own +person. + +The _cleaning of the floor_ of a room should always be done in a damp +way. + +_Moving_ into another house it is advised to rub down the walls with +fresh baked bread. + +As regards _societies_, every society and every health resort without +exception and if possible every hospital should be obliged to have its +own apparatus for disinfection and to make extensive use of it. Smaller +societies may unite to procure an apparatus of the kind. + +Especial attention should be given to the _sprinkling of the streets_ +during the dry season. + +The state and the larger congregations should make it a point to +maintain _institutions for consumptives_, beyond the city limits if +possible, a healthy location in the country preferred. + +Every one individually protects himself best from consumption by a +methodic habit of _washing with cold water_, cold rubbing and baths. +River and sea baths are generally of excellent results; short shower +baths with cool water lasting 20-40 seconds are to be applied later +on; they do not only harden the skin but excite deep inhalations and +exhalations and in that way act as gymnastics of the lungs. More direct +is the action of muscular exercise, such as gymnastics, riding horseback +or bicycle, driving, skating, rowing, etc. The carriage of children must +be regulated, the drooping forward of their shoulders must be corrected +by strengthening the muscles of the back and shoulders by means of +dumbbell and other exercises. + +All this must still be observed in the future. On the other hand above +all the numberless remedies will be dropped that have heretofore been +applied as presumably specific remedies for consumption. + +Creosote, which was so much praised at its appearance a few years ago +and still applied, because of the non-existence of a better remedy, will +be dropped into obliteration and with it Guajacol which was just getting +to be the "fashion". + +All the various inhalation methods that have matured in later years will +disappear from the picture plane as far as this has not ever now +happened. + +The medical remedies, which were given for the torturing cough, for +hemorrhage of the lungs, sweats etc., will in most cases be superfluous +after this. Hemorrhages will now and then still be experienced as the +same may set in unexpectedly. + +The diatetic cures with whey, koumiss, grapes etc. will retain their +importance and also the bathing resorts will be hunted up by patients as +formerly. + +The owners also of special institutes for curing pulmonary consumption +need not despair with the idea that they will not be needed in the +future. On the contrary, those needing cure will flock to them in all +the greater numbers, as they now know that they certainly will be +restored to health within a definitely limited time. + + + + +The other forms of Tuberculosis. + + +Of the other forms of tuberculosis _laryngeal consumption_ is very often +combined with pulmonary consumption. It is estimated that this is true +of at least one-fourth of all cases of pulmonary consumption. + +At first laryngeal consumption can not in any way be distinguished from +an ordinary inflammation of the larynx. A certain weakness and +sensitiveness of the organs however is suspicious, also great liability +to hoarseness. On the other hand laryngeal consumption may exist without +any sort of ailing to the patient. + +These appear later, however, when lung tuberculosis is progressing. The +larynx shows more distinct outlines on the lean throat, difficulty in +swallowing is experienced, pains radiate toward the ear. Food and drinks +come up again after being swallowed. + +The painful cough has a hollow, barking, harsh sound, provokes vomiting, +and the sputum together with foul breath consists of foamy, slimy, +purulent lumps. Breathing gradually becomes more difficult and louder. + +As regards the duration of laryngeal consumption it generally runs +parallel with pulmonary consumption. If the latter progresses more +rapidly so also will the destruction of the larynx by the +tubercle-bacilli be a more rapid one and vice versa. In several cases it +has been observed that, if pulmonary consumption progressed or remained +without any extraordinary symptoms, those with diseased larynx have +lived for years, with alternating improvements and diminutions, and also +an occasional suspension of all symptoms, till on account of often only +a trivial, evil influence a new stimulus is given and the disease found +an unexpectedly rapid completion of its course. + +Until now only few cases of laryngeal consumption could be looked upon +as really cured. Lately it has been tried to accomplish cures especially +by the application of caustics. This will not now be necessary. But +those afflicted in this way, will henceforth be obliged to try and live +in air free from dust, to travel south during the winter and to subject +themselves to a general strengthening treatment. + +_Tuberculosis_ of the _tongue_ is relatively very scarce. The individual +in such a case nearly always shows pronounced pulmonary tuberculosis. +Sometimes tuberculosis of the tongue is combined with tuberculous sores +on the lips and also on the anus. + +Tongue tuberculosis forms small ulcers, generally on the rim, very +seldomly on the back of the tongue. They always are very small, +generally about the size of lentils or peas. They often remain unchanged +for months. At times they are very painful, though as a rule the pain is +mild. The male sex is attacked by tongue tuberculosis especially +frequently. + +The treatment before this consisted in cutting out all the diseased +parts; now it will be much simpler. + +_Nasal tuberculosis_ appears similar to the common stopping up of the +nose. But when ulcers are formed, the secretions from the nose take on a +purulent somewhat malodorous character. But if the affection is +neglected, the secretion becomes bloody and of very bad odor. + +Until now nasal tuberculosis had been treated by applying caustics to +the ulcerated portions. + +_Tuberculosis of the intestines_ or _intestinal consumption_ is +especially found in _children_. The appearance of the same is already +characteristic; the limbs are emaciated and withered; the old-looking +wrinkled face shows a harsh contrast with the immoderately expanded body +(frog-belly) which is caused by an accumulation of gases in the limp +intestines which are then filled to bursting. Many such children have +succumbed to gradually progressing emaciation and weakness. + +Probably it will not be possible to save all children in the future that +have been stricken with this disease as many are wanting in sufficient +vitality to resist all external influences. + +With adults intestinal consumption makes itself known by everlasting +diarrhoea, a result of the numerous ulcers in the intestines which have +been caused by the tubercle-bacilli. + +_Tuberculosis of the brain and of the cerebral membranes_ also attack +children especially. Before this no attempts have been made to try +whether it is now possible to cure the _tuberculous inflammation of the +cerebral membranes_ which has previously been unconditionally fatal. The +decision will certainly soon be made. + +We will give a fuller description of the symptoms of this disease to +thus enable timely summons of medical interference. This disease will be +known to many as "acute hydrocephalus." + +As a rule children of 2-7 years of age are attacked by this fearful +disease. The antecedents are extremely peculiar and manifold. Even two +or three weeks before the outbreak of the real sickness, emaciation +takes place from which the face is strangely enough entirely exempt, so +that children, when dressed show no signs of a change. Attentive mothers +and nurses, however, regularly notice the same and especially the +appearance of the ribs causes no little anxiety. With this a slight +pallor of the face is associated and a peculiar lustre of the eyes. The +children lose their former feeling of gayety and activity. They sleep +more than usual, withdraw from their favorite game, they become grumbly +and shy toward their surroundings and cry for the slightest reason. It +also is very peculiar that they avoid trying their former little tricks, +such as climbing up on chairs, opening of door bolts that are almost out +of their reach, they even will not try to look through a latticed window +and asked to do so, decidedly refuse. Boys, that would not stand +anything from their associates, that fought and wrestled as long as +their strength permitted it, sneak away cowardly and crying from such +attacks. Other children again become extraordinarily tender-hearted and +affectionate, they hug their parents continually and can hardly console +themselves when they leave them. + +In the case of older children that have already learnt something, +teachers notice unusual inattention and indifference, committing to +memory comes harder than usual and what is finally learnt is recited in +an awkward and stammering way. The children sleep unusually much and +often by day; on the other hand their sleep at night is less sound and +is interrupted by horrid dreams, frequent turning over in the bed and +frequent clamorous outcries. + +The appetite is lessened, and often a craving is noticed for stimulating +food of which, however, little is eaten. Thirst is not increased. Urinal +secretion is somewhat diminished and the urine is characterized by a +brick-colored precipitate. The stool is rather costive, especially with +larger children; but diarrhoea may attend this disease. The latter is +principally the case with small children that are in the stage of first +teething. + +Headache is rarely felt and hardly ever complained of even by larger +children; dizziness and unsteady walking is frequently observed. The +children quite often complain of stomach-ache, which is very much +increased by pressure on the abdomen. + +Fever is not generally attendant, but the same may be present. + +The symptoms just described, separately or collectively, gradually +increase; the children finally take to their bed and now the _real +cerebral affection_ developes. + +Now the principal symptoms are: vomiting, constipation, slow pulse, +irregular abrupt breathing, increased temperature of the skin, +contracted abdomen, headache, great excitement alternating with +drowsiness, beginning decrease of reason, and deranged ability of moving +the limbs. + +As regards _vomiting_, this is almost a continuous symptom and generally +appears in the earlier stages. But the duration of vomiting is very +different. Some children vomit only for one or more days and not all +they have eaten, while others vomit continuously from the beginning of +the disease till they are relieved by death, and no food can be found +that is not thrown up shortly after its being eaten. In this connection +it is a peculiar fact that vomiting will not recur if it has once ceased +for twenty-four hours. + +Very important for the recognition of the disease is the manner of +vomiting. For a child suffering from a spoiled stomach will be troubled +with nausea, belching, choking and cold sweat long before it is forced +to vomit, while children with acute hydrocephalus will throw up without +any previous symptoms of that kind, just as though they filled the mouth +with water and spit it out again. Vomiting is facilitated when children +are raised or placed on their side. It ceases for the time the stomach +is empty, but as soon as fluid or even solid food is taken in it will be +cast out at once without causing any particular distress or +inconvenience to the child. Gall is very rarely mixed with the vomit. + +A second and nearly as constant a symptom is _constipation_ from which +nearly three-fourths of the diseased children suffer. As a rule +cathartics have no effect and are generally thrown out through the +mouth. This constipation will not last till the end, for a few pappy +stools appear later on whether purgatives are administered or not. +Violent diarrhoea resulting from intestinal tuberculosis may be +discontinued at the beginning of acute hydrocephalus. But the later +stools will again be thin and of cadaverous odor. + +During the latter stages of the disease children will often _fail to +pass urine_ for twenty-four hours, so that the physician is obliged to +draw it off with a catheter. + +The appetite does not disappear entirely as a rule. There may not be any +desire for food, but generally little difficulty is experienced in +inducing children to take milk or broth, which is all the more +surprising as vomiting regularly follows. + +The _fever_ is generally not very intense. The temperature of the head, +especially the forehead, is considerably increased in all cases and +remains so until death ensues, while the feet have great tendency to +getting cold. + +The _pulse_ is characteristic in many cases. In the beginning of the +disease the pulse is quickened only to slacken after a few days. The +number of beats may be reduced to 40-60 a minute (normal 90-100), +however it does not commonly remain at a certain figure, but varies, +often inside of an hour, so that at one time 40, then 60 and again 80 +beats may be counted inside of twenty-four hours. + +The pulse again increases 1-3 days before death and then to such a rate +that it is almost impossible to count it. It may reach 180 and 200 beats +a minute. As soon as this rate of the pulse follows one of the +reductions described above a speedy death may be predicted. + +Of great importance are the variations in respiration. In the beginning +stages of the disease breathing is normal except in such case where +tuberculosis has made great progress in the lungs and in the case of +high fever. Then of course breathing becomes more rapid. Acute +hydrocephalus influences respiration in such a way that it slackens and +becomes irregular. In one minute children may breath fifteen times, in +another thirty, then again 20 times; at one time breathing may be very +slight with almost invisible expansion of the chest and without any +noise whatever, then again it may consist of deep sighs; these are also +characteristic of this particular disease. Sometimes breathing is +completely discontinued for ten seconds and more. + +If the pulse attains that extreme rate shortly before death the rate of +breathing will also be increased. + +As regards the _skin_, the same is generally damp from the beginning of +the disease; severe sweats are observed on the head; with progressing +disease the skin becomes dry, brittle, comes off in flake-like scales +and only when the death-predicting increase of the pulse sets in, there +appears a profuse sweat, the cold sweat of death. + +_Headache_ is also a prominent and pretty nearly constant symptom. As +has been mentioned before, it does not as a rule attend the precursory +symptoms. It generally begins with vomiting and soon becomes so violent +that older children constantly cry aloud and lament, while the smaller +ones put their little hands up to their head, pull their hair and ears +and restlessly roll about on the pillow. + +These expressions of pain last as long as children retain consciousness, +a particular part of the head is not commonly pointed out, but asked +about it the majority point to the forehead. With small children +automatic movements are noticed that also seem to refer to headache, and +which consist in rapidly placing the hand on the head and then drawing +it back. + +The larger children complain of _pains in the bowels_, especially in the +region of the stomach, which remarkably often, though not regularly, +become more intense by pressing and may become so violent that the +children cry out aloud with pain, when the stomach or other portion of +the abdomen is but slightly touched. But these pains do not last as long +as the headache, they often stop suddenly, at times return. + +The shape of the _abdomen_ is extraordinarily characteristic. In the +beginning nothing remarkable can be noticed, but after the symptoms of +acute hydrocephalus, vomiting, constipation, etc., have lasted for some +time, the abdomen gradually decreases in size, becomes wrinkled and +collapses until it finally assumes a scaphoid shape and by slight +pressure the large iliac artery can be felt on the spinal column. + +This contraction of the abdomen is attendant in every case of +tuberculous meningitis. + +If the large _fontanel_ on the head is not yet closed, the same will +gradually bulge out as the disease progresses. + +The _mental activity_ suffers premature derangements, such as have been +fully mentioned in the description of the precursory symptoms. The most +striking is the confused, staring look, the peevish and surly behavior, +and again in other cases the extreme indifference toward otherwise +well-liked persons and things. Later on actual delirium sets in, but +generally of a quiet nature. + +A very common symptom is a loud, plaintive outcry, that is repeated at +longer or shorter intervals. Children often cry out at partly regular +intervals during a whole night; these cries are always accompanied by a +loud sigh. These symptoms of excitement being extremely tormenting and +depressing for the sympathizing relatives, fortunately last no longer +than 6-8 days at the most, and are succeeded by a deep _stupor_. + +If the children have once become _unconscious_, they do not recover +again as a rule but remain so until death; delirium and stupor may +alternate with each other in certain cases, but the former process is by +far the most frequent. + +_Convulsions_ appear only in the later stages. At first the interval +between the attacks are long, often as many as three or four days +intervene. Commonly however they come much oftener and may in some cases +last for hours. All extremities are affected by these convulsions, the +eyes become red, are rolled in every direction and turning way up are +fixed so that nothing but the whites is visible. After several minutes, +often after two or three hours, these general convulsions subside, the +children, now very pale, drop into a deep sleep and their general +condition appears much reduced. + +Different muscular groups especially those of the face are subject to +_local cramps_. The upper lip may become distorted, convulsive smiles +have been observed, also peculiar sucking motions. The children point +their lips and flatten them again, sometimes for hours in succession. + +In the latter stages a squinting of one or both eyes may be noticed but +this may again disappear. + +_Grinding of the teeth_ is another very peculiar symptom which is +well-known and feared by experienced nurses. The _arms_ are subject to +various motions, at times sweeping automaton like, then again convulsive +contractions, sometimes trembling of the muscles, at others a throbbing +of the tendons. Many patients put their hands to their sexual organs and +make motions tending to onanism. + +The _legs_ are not subject to cramps as much as the arms; they are +mostly bent and drawn up in a half paralyzed condition. + +The _muscles of the neck and back_ are very much contracted and most +children, when raised or laid on their side, bend the head far back. + +In most children an extreme sensibility at being touched is observed. +They may be handled with the greatest possible care and lifted most +tenderly, a slight pressure on the head, body or hands in changing their +position will be violently resisted with obvious expressions of pain. In +the latter stages this extreme sensibility gives way to _insensibility_. + +Then the children may be pinched and poked, they may be turned and moved +from one side to the other without any consideration, they will not +resist and only give expression to the remaining sensibility by a low +whimper. The lack of sensibility may be especially marked in the eyes; +these can be touched with the fingers, without causing a closing of the +lids. + +The sense of _hearing_ seems to continue its functions until very late. +Children show that they hear as long as they are not completely +unconscious; even when addressed in a low tone of voice they react +somewhat. The sense of _smell and taste_ also are lost toward the very +end of the disease. + +_Paralytic_ affections appear during the final stages. It has been +observed in some cases that the arm and limb are paralyzed on one side +only. Often one upper eyelid is paralyzed and hangs down on one side of +the face and the muscles of the tongue may be affected. + +Generally the patient dies after violent general convulsions that last +for hours. Exceptionally only the paralytic symptoms increase gradually +and cause death without any agony or struggle, simply a discontinuance +of the functions constituting life. + +The duration of the disease varies from 2-4 weeks from the beginning of +the characteristic symptoms. Generally the day when the children take to +the bed is fixed as the beginning of the disease. + +The former methods of treatment have been a signal and absolute failure +in every case. Every child that has once been attacked with this disease +has heretofore died. Until now Koch has not been able to make any +experiments with acute hydrocephalus, so that it remains an open +question whether it is now possible to cure this disease. + +Besides tuberculosis of the cerebral membranes with which children are +afflicted, _tuberculosis of the brain_ may occur, although this disease +is very rare. Tuberculosis of the brain appears in the shape of small +tumors in all parts of the brain. After longer duration of tuberculosis +of the brain, tubercular meningitis appears. + +The process of this disease may be varied. In some cases the development +of cerebral tuberculosis is manifested by the sudden appearance of high +fever temperatures or violent headache; to this may be added, +slackening of the pulse, vomiting, stiff neck and isolated cases of +palsy; sometimes an attack of convulsions is the first manifestation. + +In other cases the beginning can not be accurately determined, as the +beginning symptoms of the disease are so slight as to escape notice. +Impaired process of nutrition, languor and headache are symptoms from +which the existence of some serious affliction may be inferred without +being able to determine its nature in the earlier stages. + +Again in other cases the disease may proceed through all its stages +without any cerebral appearances whatever. This is especially true of +small tubercles and of diseases of infants. However, we more frequently +observe in children than in adults convulsions of varied intensity and +distribution. + +Nutrition is more and more impaired as the disease progresses, in +isolated cases only, a temporary improvement may be observed. + +The _end_ of cerebral tuberculosis has been _death_ before this. Ten +days to two weeks, even three weeks may pass from the first appearance +of tubercular meningitis to the completion of the process of the +disease, attended by feverish motions characteristic of this condition +and by cerebral symptoms, first with the character of excitement, later +on with that of palsy. + +The treatment of cerebral tuberculosis has been entirely insufficient +before this. Let us hope that it will be possible to effect a cure by +means of Koch's new method. + +_Tuberculosis of the Kidneys_ is met with from the earliest childhood +till old age. Most frequently the male sex is afflicted during manhood. + +In most cases tuberculosis also exists in other organs, especially in +the urinary and sexual apparatus. The existence of pulmonary or +intestinal tuberculosis is not essential. + +The symptoms of renal tuberculosis are of such general and indefinite +character, that it is often impossible to fully determine the disease. +Now, however, it will be more easily possible on account of Koch's +discovery. + +The _urine_ may, but need not contain pus and blood. Sometimes small +lumps are found in the urine. + +_Pains_ are only sometimes felt in the renal regions; _fever_ may be +occasionally attendant. + +The disease lasts for months and years; though before now it has +inevitably resulted in death, though it has in exceptional cases taken +ten years or more. + +The internal treatment of renal tuberculosis was ineffectual, surgical +treatment has been attended with greater success. This consisted in +removing the diseased kidney. Now good results will possibly be attained +by the application of Koch's method to cure and resource to surgery will +be taken in exceptional cases only. + +_Tuberculosis of the suprarenal capsules_ is of very rare occurrence. It +leads to a peculiar change in the color of the skin; the same turns dark +brown or bronze color. Sooner or later death results. + +Perhaps the application of Koch's method will, besides curing the +disease, give us information regarding the functions of the suprarenal +capsules about which nothing whatever is as yet known. + +A large space in the realm of disease is claimed by _tuberculous +affections of the bones and joints_. These afflictions appear +particularly in childhood though manhood is by no means exempt. They may +appear in all portions of the body, although a marked preference is +shown for certain parts. Although the tubercle-bacilli are infinitely +small, they possess the power to cause suppuration of the bones and +joints and to produce acute inflammation of these parts. + +Most frequently tubercular affections of the bones are found in the +hip-joints, the knee and the spinal column. + +_Tuberculous inflammation of the hip-joint_ is principally a disease +occurring in childhood; though it rarely appears before the third year. +It is most frequent from the fifth to the tenth year. + +Inflammation of the hip-joint developes very slowly in children, it +generally takes months before the slightest beginning symptoms reach a +threatening appearance. The first sign is _lameness_; among laymen +tuberculous inflammation of the hip-joints is known as "voluntary +limping." + +By limping we understand that mode of walking in which one leg is spared +and by this the trunk is supported only a short time by one extremity +and all the longer by the other. In every painful affection of the lower +extremity limping results as the weight of the body increases the pain. +The lameness in the case of diseased hip-joint has something peculiar +about it, inasmuch as not only a part of the extremity but the whole of +it is dragged. For this very reason parents of children afflicted with +inflammation of the hip-joint use the expression "the child draws" or +"drags the leg". + +In the beginning even the examining physician finds no symptoms of +disease in the joint. No swelling, no abnormal position, no restriction +of the freedom of motion, no pain from pressure or while moving, in +short nothing can be found that would otherwise indicate the beginning +of an inflammation of the joints. + +Yet _lameness only_ is sufficient data from which we may infer the +probable beginning of hip-joint inflammation. It is much better to +overestimate the significance of this symptom than to miss the proper +time for calling in the aid of a physician by placing too little +confidence on it. + +The second symptom, _pain_, rarely attends the beginning of lameness, +generally it comes several weeks later and in the case of very slow +development of tubercularly inflamed hip-joint several months later. In +very small children the attendance of pain is manifested by the fact +that they will not play and they often wake up in the night and begin to +cry. + +Children from the fourth and fifth year upward definitely point out the +hip as the seat of pain, sometimes, however, the knee-joint on the +diseased side is designated with great determination. This pain in the +knee has often been the cause of mistakes. + +Later on painfulness of the hip-joint is experienced from pressure and +at about the same time the movements are impeded. + +Then the leg takes a peculiar position. The thigh is slightly bent and +rolls outward. For convenience the child drops the half of the pelvis +corresponding to the diseased hip-joint, and naturally raises the other +half. From this apparently a curvature of the spinal column results in +the lumbar region. Apparently only, for when the child is laid down and +the morbid position of the thigh is restored the curvature of the lumbar +column disappears. + +During the further progress of the disease the pain is increased, and +the sensibility may become so acute that the slightest movement of the +limb, even a shaking of the bed in which the patient lies will cause the +most intense pain. In the previous stage walking could only be done for +short distances and then awkwardly, now it is entirely impossible. +Children are obliged to lie in bed night and day, and under these +altered conditions there is a change of the position of the extremity. +The increased sensibility induces the child to seek the medium position, +the leg is bent more than in the position mentioned above, it is halfway +straightened. + +To this is added, that the child can not lie well on the sensitive and +swollen hip; with right side hip-joint inflammation it turns on the +left. As the diseased and bent thigh does not then rest on the mattress +the same is placed on the healthy limb for support and for protection +from movements, in the same manner as we lay one leg on the other in a +healthy condition when we sleep on our side. + +The actual danger to life in tuberculous hip-joint inflammation begins +with the time when the child takes to his bed. The fatal end comes +almost without exception after suppuration has commenced, very rarely +before that time. Total suppuration of the hip-joint is an almost +absolutely fatal process. If this suppuration sets in suddenly, it may +result in an early death with attendance of acute fever. In other cases +several weeks may elapse from beginning suppuration till death. + +A complete cure of tuberculous hip-joint inflammation may come about +spontaneously. But often the knee remains bent and unserviceable for +walking, so that crutches or machines must be used. + +Even before this the beginning stages were treated with fair prospects +of success, and it is a lamentable fact that in many cases the import of +these seemingly trivial symptoms has been underestimated. + +_Rest_ is of the greatest importance during the very first stages of the +disease in which the attending symptoms are of so indefinite a character +that it is almost impossible to know whether hip-joint inflammation will +develop or not; the child must not be allowed to walk. Aside from this +the application of brine-, malt- and sea-water baths is advised. An +abundance of nourishing food is of just as great importance. All this +will also retain its significance in the future. + +Formerly recourse to surgery has been taken during the later stages of +the disease in which suppuration of the internal parts of the joint has +commenced and large parts of the diseased bones may have become +mortified. An incision is made into the joint, the same is exposed and +all diseased portions are carefully removed. In the future this +operation must probably also be performed, although with the difference +that the prospects of success are now much more certain than formerly +when relapses only too often followed the operation. + +_Tuberculous inflammation of the knee-joint_ is, as said before, very +frequent with children and is rather lingering in the beginning. Here +also a slight dragging or limping of the diseased leg can be noticed. +The child when asked about the limping, or of its own accord, complains +of pain in the joint after walking or when the part is pressed; at first +nothing abnormal can be seen on the knee by the layman. + +On closer examination, however, by comparing the two knees it will be +found that the grooves on each side of the patella, which give the +healthy knee-joint the beautifully modeled shape, have nearly or quite +disappeared; nothing more can be noticed. + +The hinderance in motion may be so insignificant, that the children may +slightly limp about for weeks and months and complain but little. +Generally the physician is not called until the limb begins to hurt and +swell after continued exertion. + +The swelling which in the beginning is hardly noticeable is now more +plainly visible, the knee-joint is evenly rounded and quite sensitive to +pressure. + +If the disease is not now properly treated, its further course will be +as follows: the patient may perhaps linger for several months; then +comes a period when he must keep to his bed uninterruptedly because +moving results in too much pain; generally the limb becomes more and +more bent. + +Now particularly painful points appear on the joint, especially on the +inner or outer side or in the bend of the knee; on one of these points a +soft portion distinctly developes, the skin becomes reddened and finally +suppurates from the internal parts outward and breaks after a few +months; thin purulent matter mixed with flakes is discharged. The pains +now cease, and the condition is improved; but this improvement does not +last; soon another abscess is formed and thus it continues. + +Meanwhile perhaps two or three years may have elapsed; the general +condition becomes greatly reduced. The child, formerly strong and +healthy, has now become lean, the discharges of matter have often been +attended by acute febrile attacks; the patient becomes exhausted, loses +his appetite and digestion becomes more impaired from week to week. Even +now a spontaneous change for the better is possible, though this happens +very rarely; more frequently the disease progresses and leads to death +from exhaustion resulting from severe suppuration and continual attacks +of fever. + +Restoration to health is indicated by decreased suppurative discharges; +the openings of the fistulae contract, the general condition is +improved, the appetite is restored, etc. Finally the fistulae heal, the +joint becomes fixed at an angle or bent or otherwise crippled, but +painfulness disappears and the patient escapes with his life and a stiff +leg. This is the most favorable result known to have been obtained in +severe cases. The joint may become a solid bony immovable mass or may +admit of slight movements. The whole process may last from two to four +years. + +The former treatment of tuberculous inflammation of the knee-joint was +either of a general or a local nature. The general treatment was +designed to strengthen and nourish, and will continue to be applied in +the future. + +The local treatment consisted in the application of salves, brushing +with tincture of iodine, spanish fly plasters, wet and dry bandages. As +with inflamed hip-joint absolute rest by lying in bed is of the greatest +importance. + +If after a certain period of rest and application of the above-named +remedies no improvement in the state of health could be noticed, the +diseased joint was laid in plaster or confined with splints. + +If even then, after such treatment for months, no improvement could be +noticed but rather that the general state of health was reduced, nothing +remained to be done excepting an operation, by which all the diseased +parts of the knee-joint were removed, or amputation, that is, the taking +off of the diseased limb. The latter method was generally adopted in the +case of feeble and emaciated individuals and those who had passed the +age of early manhood, as with these the removal of the diseased parts +did not, as a rule, result in an improvement of the general condition, +which was especially intended. + +Now tuberculous inflammation of the knee-joint will be treated by Koch's +method and in extreme cases only will operation be necessary. At all +rates, an absolute cure will be easily effected. + +Aside from the hip- and knee-joint the _spinal column_ is most +frequently attacked by tuberculosis. Here also it is the youthful age, +from the third year upward, that has to suffer most from this serious +disease. Adults are rarely attacked by it and with them it generally +appears in connection with general tuberculosis. + +The tubercle-bacilli penetrate into the substance of the vertebrae, +destroy the same and transform it into purulent matter. As a result the +destroyed vertebrae sink or rather settle down and cause a curvature of +the spine, in other words a humpback. + +In the beginning the symptoms of diseased spine are very indefinite and +misleading. The patient rarely complains of pain at first, and it is +only noticed that the sick child easily tires of standing or walking and +tends to hold on to chairs and similar objects with his hands to relieve +the spinal column of the weight. From such uncertain data it is of +course impossible to recognize the disease. + +Only then when the softened vertebrae give way under the weight of the +body, that is when the humpback begins to develop, can tuberculous +inflammation of the spine be surmised with any degree of certainty. + +As a rule two other characteristic phenomena appear which are dependent +on the pain in the affected spinal column. The child, while standing, +places his hand on the thighs and thus directly supports part of the +weight of the trunk with the lower extremities; at the same time he +avoids bending the spinal column forward. This anxious care for the +diseased vertebrae is especially noticeable when the child attempts to +pick up an object from the floor. While the healthy child bends freely +forward, the sick one crouches down and while bending the knee and hip +keeps the spinal column as straight and stiff as possible. Frequently a +small spot on the spinal column is found to be extremely sensitive to +pressure in this stage; but such a subjective symptom must be considered +with caution especially with children. + +This humpback, which is a result of tuberculous inflammation of the +spine, must not be confounded with the humpback caused by rickets. With +the latter the curvature is more uniform as a rule, and in the start at +least, disappears while in a horizontal position. Besides the humpback +resulting from rickets appears between the first and fourth years of +age, while tuberculous inflammation of the spine rarely begins before +the fourth year. And finally rickets never causes suppuration while this +is always the case with inflammation of the spine. + +The progress of suppuration is downward as a rule and does not admit of +examination until it gets near to the surface of the body; before this +the feverish conditions toward evening are the only signs that indicate +beginning suppuration. Ardent fever is not attendant during this time; +the temperature does not exceed 38 or 38.6 deg. C. and even such trifling +increase of temperature may be wanting. + +As soon as the skin is reached by the originally deepseated centres of +suppuration, it gradually becomes red and later on also suppurated. If +the skin is broken and the matter discharged, great care must be taken +to keep the wound clean, as otherwise the suppurative cavities may +suddenly become ichorous and lead to rapid death. In other cases this +extreme result is not caused and fistulae are formed from which the +ichor constantly flows. Small bits of mortified and broken off bones may +be thrown out with the matter. + +As a result of the sinking and settling of the vertebrae the spinal +chord may suffer from pressure and contusion as it is contained in a +channel formed by the vertebrae. Aside from certain pain it may result +in paralysis of certain parts. + +Formerly the diagnosis of tuberculous inflammation of the spine in its +beginning stages was very uncertain. A great number of afflicted are at +present cured by surgical treatment; in former times this was not +possible, as the majority of patients died in whose case the disease had +progressed to suppuration. But the curvature of the spine could not be +removed by any former treatment and can not be by Koch's new method. +Vertebrae once destroyed can in no way be restored to their normal +condition. + +Nevertheless the number of patients whose life is spared will be a still +greater one and the number of complete cures will also be increased in a +short time. Formerly tuberculous inflammation of the spine was treated +as follows: the abscesses were opened and antiseptics carefully applied: +mechanical apparatus and corsets were used to aid in a natural cure. +These apparatus will surely be of inestimable value at the application +of Koch's method. + +As has been stated before tuberculosis may attack all other bones and +joints and there cause the most serious derangement. Formerly these +tuberculous afflictions were treated surgically or by means of iodoform, +which has produced pretty good results in certain cases. + +However it will certainly be possible to produce still better results +with Koch's method of treatment, especially in the restoration of the +functions of the afflicted parts. Here, as in all tuberculous +affections, it is particularly essential to subject the respective case +to treatment in as early a stage as possible and before incurable +destruction of the tissues of the bones and joints have been caused. + +A certain disease of the skin called _lupus_ (ringworm) must be counted +in with the number of diseases generated by the tubercle-bacillus. + +Lupus may begin in two different ways. Either in the form of a purple +spot, which is raised above the level of the skin and which has no +definite limits but blends with the healthy parts; or as a slightly +raised, moderately firm, darkred grain, sharply limited and about the +size of a pinhead or millet seed. + +If the disease has begun in the shape of spots, the afflicted portions +of the skin gradually swell during the process of the disease. Several +isolated knots appear around which the disease spreads more and more. + +While the disease thus takes possession of greater area and developes +new centers, a uniform scaling off of all knots begins. + +After prolonged existence, sometimes after short duration, decay and +casting off of the epidermis in its entire thickness supercedes the +scaling process, and suppuration transforms the ringworm into an ulcer +covered by a dirty-brown rind and disagreeably colored serum. + +The ulcers of lupus are of various, generally irregular shape, the rims +not hard, the ground flat and covered with purulent matter and decayed +tissue; they are commonly surrounded by a faint reddish areola. These +ulcers gradually become epulotic and form irregular, generally slightly +protruding white scars in which new tubercles may appear. + +Lupus appears most frequently in the face and especially frequent on the +nose. Sometimes its appearance is indicated only by an inflammation and +swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and at the same time a +reddening of the epidermis. The nostrils are stopped up by a thin rind +which, if torn off, is replaced by a thicker one below which an ulcer is +formed that spreads with greater rapidity on the mucous membranes of the +nose than on the external epidermis of the same. + +Sometimes the whole process on the nose is so rapid, that very often the +physician is not called to the patient, before a large part of the wing +of the nose or of the nasal epidermis is destroyed and deep ulcers have +developed under the rind. New tubercles of lupus are commonly noticed to +spring up on the margins of these ulcers; the cartilage as a rule +resists the progress of the disease for a longer period and may be +unhurt, while the skin on the wing of the nose may be completely +destroyed. + +Frequently the process is extended to the mucous lining of the hard +palate and to the gums. Lupus generally appears on the lips in the same +manner as in the nose. The upper lip especially appears very much +swollen and covered with ulcers after a prolonged existence of the +affection. Sometimes even the aperture of the mouth itself is reduced in +size by the development of ulcers and scars on the surrounding parts. + +If the process extends to the lower eyelid, the connective tissue as a +rule becomes much swollen and reddened. The malady especially attacks +the inner angle of the eye, destroys the entrance of the lachrymal duct, +and from there the lupous tubercles appear on the connective tissue. +Gradually tubercular formations develop on the cornea and sight becomes +impaired. + +On other parts of the face lupus generally appears in the form of small +knots, about the size of millet seeds, which remain for a time then +multiply and spread. The epidermis swells between these knots and +irregular ulcers develop on a hard swollen and glossy ground, and are +covered by dark brown rinds. + +Tubercles appear anew on the margins of the ulcers and in the spaces +between them, isolated whitish spots of sunken or raised scab tissue are +observed on which very frequently lupous tubercles again develop. + +Lupus appears on the throat, neck, back, breast, and the extremities, +most frequently in serpentine form i. e. swellings of the skin develop, +being arranged in curves, they progress in the same manner, these are +transformed into just so many ulcers. Between these whitish scarred +spots are noticeable on which small red lupous tubercles again appear. + +Lupus is more frequently found on the extremities than on the trunk. The +surface of the skin is found to be tense and glossy on a firm base which +is affected by lupus. + +Deep ulcerous formations of lupus are sometimes observed on the fingers +and toes, particularly on the finger-joints, these may at times +penetrate into the inner parts of the joints, secreting whitish pus and +covered with a thick rind. + +As regards the difference between lupus and syphilitic diseases it has +been found that lupus commonly developes before puberty while syphilis +appears in the mature age. + +The ulcers of lupus are often round like those of syphilis with sharply +defined margins, but at the same time they are flat accompanied by +little or no pain; rim and base of the same are loose, red, rank, and +bleed easily. On the other hand syphilitic ulcers are very painful and +rim and base are covered with greasy matter. + +Lupus appears only in the form of knots, which are deeply inbedded, from +size of a pinhead to that of a lentil, but never as large knots in the +beginning. Syphilis produces large and palpable knots from the start. + +Loss of the bony part of the nose or destruction of the hard palate are +observed, but rarely and after protracted existence of lupus, and often +in the case of syphilis. + +The indicated peculiarities however refer only to typical cases of lupus +and of syphilis. In other cases it was almost impossible to show a +difference. + +As regards the course of lupus, the same begins, as has been stated +before, in earliest childhood, sometimes only in the form of scaly spots +and knots. Less often lupus developes after complete development of +manhood. It is more frequent with women than with men. Sometimes some of +the knots remain isolated and disappear again after a time; in other +cases additions appear in the course of time, which may affect larger +portions of the body and lead to more or less dangerous ulcers. As a +rule the course of lupus, even of great extent, is not malignant and at +the most the alliance with _traumatic erysipelas_ and possibly the +appearance of _pulmonary consumption_ may succeed the affliction. In +cases of not too rare occurrence it has been observed that lupus has +developed into _cancer_, which has always resulted fatally. + +The _treatment_ of lupus has principally been a _local_ one. Caustics +were applied to destroy lupous tubercles by direct action, and +furthermore recourse has been taken to the so-called mechanical +treatment, in which the ringworm was scraped out. + +Our experiences relating to the mechanical treatment of lupus have +taught us the following. + +Lupus can not be cured without destroying and removing the diseased and +affected tissue. That method which effects the most radical destruction, +protects most from relapses. Therefore the best method of treating lupus +is to cut out the diseased skin. But with the superficial spreading +peculiar to many cases of lupus this method can only be applied within +certain limits. Then again the secondary growths after an operation may +be of serious consequences. + +Unfortunately it has not been possible before this to remove all +diseased portions, no matter what method was applied, because often tiny +lupous tubercles spring up which are almost invisible to the naked eye. +These tubercles will again be the starting point for another spreading +of lupus. + +We will see that Koch's new method to cure has the advantage both to +make visible all tubercles, even those that have escaped our notice and +also to effect a cure in the shortest time even in old chronic cases +that have before this been considered incurable. It is especially +possible in this form of tuberculosis to follow the specific action of +the new remedy, as we will learn later on. + +_Tuberculosis of the testicles_ is not so very rare, it is found in +about 2-1/2 per cent. of all men afflicted with pulmonary consumption. +It is more rarely met with in children than in men. + +The conditions under which tuberculosis of the testicles and epididymis +developes are various inflammatory processes with existing disposition. +It is mostly gonorrhea or some other inflammation of the urethra, or +injured testicle. It occurs less frequently without any apparent cause. + +According to the starting point of tuberculosis the symptoms are varied. +If it starts in the testicle, this appears normal or larger in size, but +never reaches extraordinary dimensions. The surface of the testicle is +at first smooth in the case of increased tension, later only does it +become irregular, bumpy and of unequal consistency. + +If the starting point is in the epididymis, hard, rounded lumps are +formed generally in the head or tail of the epididymis, rarely in the +body. These increase in size and cause a swelling often of extraordinary +dimensions, the surface of which appears hard, irregular, bumpy and in +certain parts yielding and elastic. If the process is extended to the +testicle, this also increases in size. Then both together form an oval +swollen mass and can not be distinguished from each other. + +Striking changes appear only later and consist in the softening of the +lumps and in the development of abscesses. + +Very soon the lobuli are affected. The same are then thickened in the +septa, are hard and form an irregular, bumpy swelling surrounded by more +or less thickened tissue. + +Very soon tuberculous changes are caused in the prostate gland, an organ +situated near the intestine and the functions of which are to dilute the +semen. A hardening is often the first sign, this is followed by +increase in size and then softening. + +With the affection of the prostate gland, that of the urethra also +begins, which passes through the middle of the prostate gland. This +disease often appears in the form of a yellowish secretion, which is +more and more increased and becomes ichorous with the decay of the +urethra and the prostate gland. This secretion must be distinguished +from that which as a venereal affection caused the whole process. The +tubercular derangements do not only extend forward but also upward. The +bladder, the ureters and the kidneys are affected and show extreme +derangements with altered urinal secretions and excretions. + +Of other symptoms of tuberculosis of the testicles pain deserves +especial mention. The same is slight in the beginning, but often becomes +insufferable. + +The symptoms here related often increase very slowly. Essential changes +are caused during the chronic course of tuberculosis of the testicles if +suppuration sets in. The skin is perforated and fistulae are formed. If +there is no halt in the process, general tuberculosis results and this +has until now always caused death. + +According to the time in which the general derangements come about, a +chronic and acute tuberculosis of the testicles has been distinguished. +The former is the more frequent, the latter of rare occurrence. + +The sexual functions may remain unchanged if only one testicle is +diseased, but are generally ruined if both epididymes are affected, +because the secretion of the semen is then interrupted by the stopping +up of the vas deferens. In some cases the sexual function may be +interrupted for a time only and may then be resumed. + +The treatment before this has been surgical, in which the diseased parts +were carefully removed, and where this was impossible, even castration +(removal of the testicle) was performed. Without doubt Koch's method +will cause great changes in the method of treatment here also. + +Finally we must include in our reflection the well-known disease of +children, _scrofula_. Although the same is not a form of tuberculosis in +the sense of the diseases just considered, still tuberculosis and +scrofula have the most intimate relations. Scrofula is only too often a +precursory stage of tuberculosis. + +The manifold scrofulous affections, such as inflamed eyes, diseased +ears, skin diseases, catarrh of the nose, pharynx or bronchials, +inflammation of the joints and suppuration are not caused through the +cooperation of tubercle-bacilli. But here the same find an excellent +soil for growth and propagation, and they use the same to the full +extent and so give the impetus for the development of tuberculosis. + +Scrofula is one of the most frequent diseases, it is spread over the +whole world. It occurs more seldom in the tropics than in the north. +Furthermore it is more frequent in a cold and damp climate than in a dry +one. Elevation has no influence on the development of this disease. +Scrofulous individuals are found in the mountains as well as in the +plains. + +Scrofula principally attacks children; it occurs most frequently in the +time from the second to the fifteenth year. Rarely earlier developed +scrofula drags beyond the age of puberty or more advanced manhood. Sex +has no particular influence on the development of scrofula. + +In many cases this particular disease is _inherited_. The following +causes are considered in the inheritance of scrofula: great age, close +relationship and infirmity of the parents; but the germ of scrofula is +planted in the child by parents that are themselves afflicted with +tuberculosis or scrofula. This is most frequently observed in children +that have descended from parents, who were scrofulous in their youth and +remained so, or that became tuberculous later on and at the time of +generation were afflicted by advanced scrofula or tuberculosis, or that +were suffering from oft-treated but never entirely cured syphilis. Some +scientists claim to have observed the inheritance of scrofula by +children, whose parents at the time of generation were afflicted with +tuberculosis or were suffering from general debility resulting from +hunger and want. + +In the majority of cases scrofula is acquired, as a rule the development +of this disease is favored by indigence and poor hygienic conditions +according to the coinciding experience of all scientists; _nutrition_, +especially in the first year of life, has the greatest influence on the +origin of scrofula. + +In _infancy_ the most frequent cause of scrofula is the premature giving +of _farinaceous_ food besides the mother's milk, or the feeding of +children with so-called pap, especially when this is done in the _first +month of their life_. + +In later months the excessive eating of bread, potatoes or vegetables +instead of milk has an injurious effect. + +Furthermore the development of scrofula is favored by the breathing of +_foul damp air_ such as is frequently found in newly built or damp +houses and also by _deficient care of the skin_. + +Scrofula thrives in the narrow tenement dwellings in which is found a +close, overheated, foul air pregnant with smoke, kitchen fumes and +mustiness from the damp walls. + +Frequently the development of scrofula has been observed to succeed +measles, diphtheria, scarlatina or whooping-cough. + +The opponents of vaccination also designate vaccination as a frequent +cause of scrofula. It is supposed that a poison is transferred into the +system with the lymph which is enabled to generate the phenomena of +scrofula. However the supposition has not as yet been proven. + +Of course the fact cannot be denied, that cases of developing scrofula +have been at times observed as succeeding vaccination. But the +circumstances are the same as in the case of the contagious diseases +mentioned above. No one will probably maintain that in those cases in +which the development of scrofula had been succeeding those diseases, +that this has resulted from a poison generated by the preceding disease. + +The attempt to designate symptoms by which to recognize a scrofulous +constitution has at all times been made. Many physicians have for a long +time distinguished a _torpid_ and an _erethistic_ scrofulous +constitution. + +With a _torpid_ constitution the body is pale, spongy and bloated, the +nose and lips are thick, the abdomen swelled, there is plenty of fat and +but weak muscles. Such children are indolent, at times peevish and +indifferent, they do not sleep quietly, have no appetite or may be +voracious and suffer from derangements of digestion. An examination of +all organs indicates no change. The children are easily afflicted with +eruptions of the skin, with inflammation of the eyes and ears, and +catarrh of the mucous membranes, which are characterized by great +obstinacy. The derangements in nutrition here described are caused by +the lymphatic glands though a swelling of the same can not be found. + +In the case of _erethistic_ scrofula the children are found to be of +slight and lean structure, with fine hair and long eyelashes; they are +active, easily excited, gifted and extremely sensitive to physical pain. +The face is pale and becomes easily flushed by physical or emotional +excitements. They are easily subject to palpitation and short breath; +and are attacked by high fevers from the slightest reason. The lymphatic +glands, especially the deepseated ones, are as a rule more or less +swelled. + +In most cases, however, the characteristics of these two forms are +blended. + +The phenomena of scrofula are manifold and extend over the entire body. + +The _skin_ is frequently the seat of scrofulous affections. These are +particularly found on the head and face and are characterized by great +obstinacy and tendency to return. + +Most frequently herpes appear, the parts especially affected are the +scalp, face, auricular passages, eyelids and the nose with its +surrounding parts. + +Pustules are sometimes developed under the skin and may appear in great +numbers. These pustules may either break through the skin or shrink into +a caseous mass. + +Of all _mucous membranes_ that of the _nose_ becomes most frequently +diseased; in a great number of cases this happens in the form of a +chronic catarrh; the mucous membrane of the nose is reddened and swollen +and a profuse, thick, purulent, ichorous and easily drying fluid is +secreted. Often the external parts of the nose are swollen as a result +of the catarrh and the nostrils are stopped up with thick +yellowish-green rinds. Inflammation of the skin is caused by the flowing +out of the purulent and ichorous liquid secreted. + +In many other cases the disease appears in the form of scrofulous ulcers +on the mucous membranes of the nose; in such cases it is found that the +nose is stopped up with numerous yellowish brown crusts; after removing +the same the mucous membrane appears swollen and moderately reddened, on +several places ulcers, the size of lentils, are found which are covered +with a yellowish gray coating. At the slightest touch bleeding of the +nose is caused; often also the external parts are reddened and swollen. +In such cases erysipelas frequently developes, starting from the nose +and spreading over the whole face. Frequently a repetition of erysipelas +occurs. + +The scrofulous catarrh just described is generally of a very protracted +nature and is marked by many relapses. Sometimes the fluid secretion of +the nose is of very bad odor. + +The mucous membrane of the _throat_ becomes diseased at the same time as +that of the nose. The same is found to be moderately reddened and +swollen; the lymphatic glands especially those on the posterior wall of +the throat are increased to swellings the size as large as peas. The +_tonsils_ also become inflamed frequently and become enlarged through +the repeated rather chronic inflammation. + +_Inflammations of the ear_ are a common occurrence with scrofula. These +originate most frequently by means of the eustachian tube, which +connects the ear with the back part of the mouth as a result of the +catarrh of the nose and throat. In a majority of cases the inflammations +of the ears lead to perforation of the tympanum and may even result in +fatal cerebral meningitis. + +The _eye_ is as frequently affected by scrofula. Swelling of the lids +and inflammation of the glands are the lighter forms. Pustules on the +connective tissue of the eye and on the cornea, accompanied by +photophobia, cramp in the lids and flowing of tears are those severe +forms that are so frequently observed in scrofula, and that often leave +opaque and incurable spots on the cornea of the eye. + +Swelling of the _glands_ has at all times been a characteristic +phenomenon of scrofula. A swelling is merely the result of diseases of +the mucous membrane of the throat or nose, of herpes of the scalp or +face, of inflammations of the ears, eyes, periosteum, bones, etc. In the +beginning the swelling of the glands is painless and results in flat +swellings of about the size of filberts, which may be moved back and +forth; such glandular swellings may exist for years, without showing the +slightest alterations. + +With renewed attacks they enlarge and may become of considerable size. +At times single glands become inflamed, hurt when pressed and develop +abscesses which perforate the skin after it has become inflamed and +reddened. + +These abscesses may heal within a few days. In the majority of cases, +however, they remain for a longer period, months and even years and +result in the well-known tumid, hard and immovable scars. + +Inflammation of the periosteum and of the bones is one of the instances +of scrofula. Most frequently _spina ventosa_ is found; the same consists +of a gradual, painless swelling of the diseased bones, most frequently +on the fingers and toes, so that they become bottle-shaped. The skin +covering these swellings is pale and tense. The swelling may gradually +disappear or begin to suppurate. Besides this hip- and knee-joint +inflammation are observed, also inflammations of the ankle, elbow-joint, +spine, etc.; especially in the case of diseased bones it is extremely +difficult to fix a dividing line between scrofula and tuberculosis. + +The frequence of anaemia with scrofula is only a _result_ of the disease +and not a symptom. As a result of scrofula nutrition and assimilation +become impaired, mostly in the cases of extreme suppuration. + +Scrofula is a chronic disease. In many cases it is completely cured, the +lighter cases after several months and the more malignant after several +years. Extreme scrofula may often remain until puberty and may be +completely healed. + +_Fatal_ results are due to scrofulously diseased bones, joints or +glands, and it can not be denied that a large number of children succumb +in this manner. Fatal results may also be due to additional diseases, +such as pneumonia, pleurisy, intestinal catarrh, etc. + +It has been frequently observed that _tuberculosis_ succeeds scrofula. +It is a well-known fact that scrofula furnishes the largest contingent +for tuberculosis. + +As a precautionary measure against scrofula a careful regulation of the +diet is recommended. During the first nine months of life children +should be fed with human milk exclusively if possible. If scrofula is +hereditary in a family, or if the mother exhibits symptoms of the +disease, she should not be allowed to nurse the child but a strong and +healthy nurse should be engaged. Recourse to artificial nourishment must +only then be taken, when nursing the child is absolutely impossible. For +this purpose exceptionally pure cow's-milk ought to be selected. All +substitutes, that appear under various names, such as infant's food, +condensed milk, etc., contribute much toward the development of +scrofula. + +Children 1-2 years of age are to be fed with milk, meat and eggs. Only +strong children, that show no sign of scrofula may be fed once or twice +a day with small quantities of rice, tapioca, sago, green vegetables, +pulse, etc., beside the food above mentioned. + +To prevent scrofula it is essential not to give the food of adults to +children during the first years of life; avoid exclusively solid food +and prepare the same in a pappy form as much as possible. Of course a +proper regulation of meal-time and a careful avoidance of overfeeding is +by all means to be observed. + +It is of no less importance for a successful treatment of scrofula to +provide surroundings of as favorable conditions as possible. + +First of all _pure air_ containing plenty of _oxygen_. Therefore the +_sea-coast_ is recommended as a proper place for scrofulous children. +The children ought to stay there until the signs of scrofula have +disappeared and the entire nutrition has been improved. The results +obtained in the sanitary stations (vacation colonies) along the +sea-shore for scrofulous children have received much favorable comment. + +_Mountain air_ has a similarly favorable effect especially when _salt +water baths_ are used at the same time; even the plain, pure _country +air_ proves beneficial to scrofulous children. _Very dry_ locations and +dwellings ought to be selected. The children should remain _out of +doors_ as much as possible. + +Of great importance for scrofulous children, furthermore, is a suitable +course in _gymnastics and rubbing-down with cold water_. To begin with +the water may be 72 deg. but should gradually be reduced to the natural +temperature of well water. + +Just how far Koch's new method will take the place of former remedies +used for scrofula can not be told at present as experiments in this +direction are wanting. Nevertheless it will be possible to prevent the +dangerous transition of scrofula into tuberculosis and thus save the +lives of a great many persons. + +Anyone who has informed himself through the foregoing as to the great +number of diseases and forms of disease that are directly or indirectly +connected with tuberculosis, will now be able to estimate the +farreaching import of Koch's discovery. It will now be clear to him that +pulmonary consumption constitutes only a part, although a great part of +tuberculosis and that there are a great many diseases besides that can +now be surely cured, it is hoped, with the aid of Koch's method. But +this much should be remembered by everyone that this remedy also acts +best and surest during the _beginning_ of a disease. We hope that no one +will allow valuable time to slip unimproved; it may easily happen that +it is too late for successful treatment. Everyone will be able to +recognize the symptoms of diseases, which Koch has taught to cure, from +the foregoing complete description, and it is better to apply the remedy +once too often than miss the proper time for application. + +Koch's first communications relating to the subject have just been +published and will be given unabridged in the following pages. As these +communications are written for physicians we will add such explanatory +notes as are deemed essential for general intelligence. + +[Illustration: DR. KOCH IN HIS LABORATORY] + + + + +THE FIRST COMMUNICATION + +_Relating to a Method to Cure_ + +TUBERCULOSIS, + +BY + +Prof. R. KOCH, Berlin. + + +In a lecture, delivered by me several months ago, at the International +Medical Congress, I referred to a remedy, which makes animal subjects +impervious to the inoculation of Tubercle-bacilli, and in the case of +diseased animals, checks the progress of the tuberculous disease. In the +meantime experiments have been made with human subjects, about which I +will report in the following. + +Originally I intended to complete my investigations and especially gain +sufficient experience concerning the practical application of the remedy +and its production on a larger scale before I published anything +concerning it. In spite of all precautions too much has already been +published about it, and that distorted and exaggerated, so that I was +obliged, in a way, to prevent false conceptions, to give even now a +synopsis of the method as far as it has progressed at the time being. +Under present circumstances it must necessarily be short and leave +unanswered many important questions. + +The experiments have been, and are still being made under my direction +by Dr. A. Libbertz and Stabsarzt Dr. E. Pfuhl. The necessary subjects +and material have been provided by Prof. Brieger from his Polyclinic, +Dr. W. Levy in his Private Surgical Clinic, Geheimrath Fraentzel and +Oberstabsarzt R. Koehler in the Charite-Hospital, and Geheimrath Herr +v. Bergmann in the Surgical University Clinic. To all these gentlemen +and their assistants I here tender my heartfelt thanks for their +untiring interest which they manifested for this subject and also for +the disinterested help and aid which they have offered at all times and +without which it would have been impossible for me to make such progress +in a few months in this difficult and responsible investigation. + +As my work is far from being completed, I can not as yet make any +statements relating to the origin and preparation of this remedy and +reserve these for some future time.[1] + +The curative is composed of a clear brown fluid, which in itself is not +perishable, even without special precautionary measures. For use this +fluid must be more or less diluted and these dilutions are perishable +when made with distilled water; Bacterian vegetation soon develops in +them and they become turbid and are no longer fit for use. To prevent +this the dilutions must be sterilized through heat and be kept under +cotton batting or be prepared with a 5 per cent. phenol solution which +is much simpler. Through repeated heating as also through the mixture +with the phenol the efficiency of the diluted solution appears to be +curtailed after a time and for that reason I have always used solutions +as fresh as possible. + +The remedy does not act through the stomach; to effect a reliable action +it must be applied subcutaneously. For our experiments we have +exclusively used a syringe decided upon by myself for bacteriological +purposes, which is supplied with a small india-rubber ball and which has +no stamp. Such a syringe can be easily kept positively aseptic by +rinsing with absolutely pure alcohol and on this we base the fact that +not a single abscess has sprung from over a thousand injections. + +After trying various parts of the body as places for application we +selected the skin of the back between the shoulderblades and in the +lumbar region, because at these places the injection was almost painless +and caused the least and in most cases no local reaction. + +Even at the beginning of our experiments we found that in one +particularly important point the human subject was affected by the +curative in a way decidedly differing from that of the animal subject +generally used, the guinea pig. Therefore another confirmation of the +rule for experimentors upon which hardly enough stress can be laid, not +to rely upon a like effect upon the human being from the experiments on +the animal without further confirmatory inquiry. + +Man proved himself much more sensitive to the effects of the remedy than +the guinea pig. Up to two cubic centimeters and even more of the +undiluted fluid could be injected under the skin of a healthy guinea pig +without causing any particularly disparaging effect. In the case of a +fullgrown man on the other hand, 25 ccm. are sufficient to produce +intense results. In proportion to weight of body therefore 1/1500 of the +amount which has no noticeable effect on the guinea pig has a decidedly +strong effect on the man. + +From an injection that I have made on my upper arm I have experienced +the symptoms which arise in man after an injection of 25 ccm., in short +they were the following: Three or four hours after the injection a +raking pain in the joints, languor, inclination to cough, oppressed +breathing, which rapidly increased; in the fifth hour I experienced +intense chills which lasted nearly an hour, at the same time nausea, +vomiting, increase of the temperature of the body to 39.6 deg. C. After +about 12 hours all these affectations ceased. The temperature sank and +reached the normal height the next day. Heaviness of the limbs and +languor lasted for a few more days, and for the same length of time the +place of injection remained red and painful. + +The lower limit of effect of the curative for a healthy man is about +.01 ccm. (= 1 cubic centimeter diluted with a 100 parts) as numerous +trials have shown. The majority reacted on this dose with only light +pain in the joints and passing languor. With a few a slight rise in +temperature set in, to 38 deg. C. or a trifle higher. + +Although there is a marked difference as regards the dose of the +curative (according to relative weight of body) between the animal +subject and man, an evident resemblance is shown in several other +qualities. + +The most important of these qualities is _the specific action of this +remedy on tuberculous processes of whatever kind they may be_. I will +not relate the effects on the animal subject in this connection, as it +would lead too far, but will at once turn to the peculiar effects on +tuberculous human beings. + +As we have seen, a healthy man reacts but little or not at all on +.01 ccm. The same is true of diseased persons, provided they are not +tuberculous. But the relations are entirely different with those +afflicted with tuberculosis; a marked general and also a local reaction +resulted from an injection of the same dose of the remedy (.01 ccm.)[2]. + +The general reaction consists of an attack of fever, which, beginning +mostly with chills, raises the temperature to over 39 deg., often up to +40 deg. and even 41 deg. Other noticeable symptoms are pains in the +joints, a tendency to cough, great languor, and often nausea and +vomiting. Several times we observed a faint icteric coloring and in some +cases the appearance on neck and breast of an exanthema resembling +measles. As a rule the attack begins 4-5 hours after the injection and +lasts 12-15 hours. In exceptional cases it may begin much later, but +then it is not nearly so intense. The patients experience remarkably +little weakness from the attack and feel relatively well as soon as it +is over, generally better than they did before it came on. + +The local reaction can best be observed on those patients whose +tuberculose affection is plainly visible, for instance those afflicted +with lupus. In them changes take place that prove the specific +antitubercular action of the remedy in a most surprising way. The +diseased portions of the skin in the face, etc. begin to swell and turn +red even before the attack of chills set in, although the injection is +made under the skin of the back, a point decidedly remote from the +affected parts. The swelling and reddening increases during the fever +and can attain a very marked degree so that the lupus-tissue turns +reddish brown and necrotic. In the case of more sharply defined lupus +centres the more swollen and dark red parts were edged by a white seam +nearly a centimeter wide and this again was surrounded by a wide bright +red border. The swelling of the diseased parts gradually decreases after +the cession of fever and may have entirely disappeared after 2 or 3 +days. A serum exudes from these lupus-centres and, drying, forms a crust +on them which changes into scabs that fall off in 2-3 weeks and +sometimes leave a smooth red scar after a single injection. Generally +several injections are necessary to effect a complete removal of the +lupose tissue, but of this I will speak further on. It is very important +to note that the changes during this process are exclusively limited to +the portions of the skin affected by lupus; even the faintest and +smallest bits of diseased tissue go through the entire process and +become visible on account of their swelling and reddening, while the +actual scab-tissue in which the various stages of lupus have been +completed remains unchanged. + +The observation of the treatment of lupus with the remedy is so +instructive and must be so convincing as regards the specific nature of +the remedy that every one wishing to occupy himself with the study of +this remedy should if possible make his first experiments with lupus. + +Less marked, but still apparent to the eye and touch are the local +reactions in tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, of the bones and +joints, etc., in which case swelling and increased painfulness, and in +the more superficial parts also a reddening can be observed. + +The reaction in the inner organs, especially the lungs is removed from +our observation unless we consider the increased coughing and +expectoration of the patients after the first injection a local +reaction. At the same time we must assume that these parts undergo +changes directly observed in the case of lupus. + +The different forms of reaction described have appeared without +exception in previous trials on the dose of .01 ccm. when any form of +tuberculosis prevailed in the system, and therefore I trust that I am +justified in assuming, that in the future this remedy will constitute an +indispensible diagnostic auxiliary. We will be enabled to diagnose in +doubtful cases of phthisis even then, when it is impossible to obtain +reliable information concerning the nature of the ailment, by the +presence of bacilli or elastic fibres in the sputum or by a physical +examination. Glandular affectations, hidden tuberculosis of the bones, +doubtful tuberculosis of the skin and the like will easily and reliably +prove to be such. In case of apparently completed processes of +tuberculosis of the lungs or joints it will be possible to show whether +the process of the disease is in reality a complete one or establish the +existence of centres from which later on the disease may spread like a +fire from a live coal in the ashes. + +But much more important are the specific qualities of the remedy than +the aids it offers for the diagnosis. + +While describing the changes, that are caused by hypodermic injections +of the remedy, on the parts of the skin affected by lupus, attention was +called to the fact that the lupose tissue does not return to its +original condition after the swelling and reddening have ceased, but is +more or less destroyed and disappears. On some places, as observation +teaches, the process is such, that after a single injection the diseased +tissues undergo mortification and are cast off as dead matter later on. +On other places it seems that a diminution or rather a kind of melting +of the tissue is caused, and to effect a complete disappearance a +repeated application of the remedy is necessary. As the required +histological investigation is wanting, it is impossible at the present +time to state with certainty how this result is brought about. Only +this much is known that it is not a destruction of the tubercle bacilli, +but that only the tissue containing the tubercular bacilli is affected +by the application of the remedy. In this, as the visible swelling and +reddening show, greater circulatory derangements are caused and with +these vital changes in the _assimilation_ which result in a more or less +rapid and thorough mortification of the tissue according to the manner +in which the remedy is allowed to act. + +To make a short repetition, the remedy therefore does not destroy the +tubercle bacilli, but the tuberculous tissue; on dead tissue, for +instance, gangrenous cheesy matter, necrotic bones, etc., it does not +act; nor on tissue that has undergone mortification through the action +of the remedy itself. Living bacilli can still linger in such dead +masses of tissue, which are either cast out with the necrotic tissue, or +may possibly migrate under special conditions into the adjoining living +tissue. + +This quality of the remedy must be particularly observed, if its full +specific action is to be obtained. Therefore we must first cause the +mortification of the tuberculous tissue, and then effect its removal as +soon as possible, for instance, by means of a surgical operation; but +where this is impossible and the excretion by the organisms themselves +is necessarily slow, we must attempt by continued application of the +remedy to protect the endangered living tissue from the immigration of +the parasites. + +As the remedy acts only on living tissue and causes mortification of +tuberculous tissue, we can readily explain another exceedingly peculiar +property of the remedy, namely, that it can be given in rapidly +increased doses. This may apparently be explained as being based on +inurement. But noting that in about three weeks the dose may be +increased to 500 times the strength of the first one, it is +unquestionably something more than habit, as we know of nothing +analogous confirming such a rapid and farreaching adaptation to any +powerful drug. + +This fact can rather be explained thus: in the beginning there is an +abundance of living tuberculous tissue and only a minute quantity of the +effective substance is sufficient to cause a strong reaction; through +each injection a certain quantity of this responsive tissue disappears, +and then relatively larger doses are required to cause the same degree +of reaction as before. Aside from this adaptation may assert itself +within certain limits. As soon as the patient is treated with such +increased doses, and that he reacts no more than one not afflicted with +tuberculosis, we may assume that all the reactive tuberculous tissue is +dead. It is then only necessary to continue the treatment at intervals +and with gradually increased doses as long as any bacilli remain in the +system, to protect the patient from a new infection. + +It remains to be learnt in the future whether this conception and the +deductions based thereon are correct. For the present I have directed +the manner of application of the remedy on this basis, which in our +experiments resulted as follows: + +To begin again with the simplest case, namely lupus, we injected the +full dose of .01 ccm. in nearly all such patients to begin with, and +allowed the reaction to take its full course, after 1-2 weeks we again +injected .01 ccm. and so forth until the reaction became less and less +and finally ceased. In the case of two patients with facial lupus three +respectively four injections in this manner resulted in a clean, smooth +scar in place of the affected parts; the remaining patients of this kind +have also improved in a measure proportioned to the time of treatment. +All the patients have suffered from their afflictions for years and have +been treated by various methods without success. + +Tuberculosis of the glands, bones and joints has been treated in a very +similar manner, as in these cases larger doses were applied at longer +intervals. The result was the same as with lupus, a rapid cure in the +lighter and milder cases and a slowly progressing improvement in the +severer ones. + +With the majority of our patients, those suffering from pulmonary +consumption, the conditions are somewhat different, patients with +decided pulmonary tuberculosis are very much more responsive to this +remedy, than those afflicted with surgical tubercles. We were forced to +reduce the quantity of the first dose of .01 ccm. as prepared for the +phthisicist, and we found that as a rule he reacted strongly on a dose +of .002 and even .001 ccm., but that the quantity could be rapidly +increased from this low initial dose to that which could be easily +tolerated by the other patients. We generally proceeded in such a manner +that the patient at first received an injection of .001 ccm. and if a +rise in the temperature set in this dose was repeated once daily until +the reaction ceased. Only then the dose was increased to .002 ccm. and +applied till the reactions failed to appear. And so forth, always +increasing the dose only .001 or at the most .002 up to .01 ccm. and +higher. This mild procedure seemed to me imperative, especially with +such patient as were in a weak and feeble condition. Proceeding in the +manner just described we can easily attain the application of very light +doses with but slight attacks of fever and hardly perceptible to the +patient. Some of the stronger consumptives were treated with larger +doses from the beginning, partly with a forced increase in the dosing +when it seemed as though the favorable result was obtained in a +correspondingly shorter time. The action of the remedy on the +phthisicist generally seemed to be such that cough and expectoration +increased somewhat after the first injection, then gradually diminished +and in favorable cases disappeared entirely; the sputum lost its +purulent nature and became slimy. The number of bacilli as a rule did +not decrease until the sputum had attained a phlegmy appearance (only +such patients were selected for these experiments in whose +expectorations bacilli were contained). They entirely disappeared +temporarily, but were again met with from time to time until the +expectoration had completely stopped. At the same time the night-sweats +left off, and the patients improved in appearance and gained in weight. +All patients treated in the first stages of phthisis were freed from all +symptoms of disease in the course of 4-6 weeks so that they could be +considered as cured. Even patients with cavities not too large were +considerably improved and nearly healed. But in the case of such +consumptives, whose lungs contained many and large cavities no objective +improvement could be marked, although the expectoration diminished and +they appeared to feel much better. I am inclined to assume on the basis +of these experiences, that the _earliest stages of phthisis can with +certainty be cured by this remedy_.[3] This may also hold good in cases +that are not too far advanced. + +In exceptional cases only will pulmonary consumptives, with large +cavities, derive continued benefits through the application of the +remedy, when other complications exist, for instance, the penetration of +other supurative micro-organisms, irremovable pathological changes in +other organs, etc. Even such patients were in most cases temporarily +improved. It must follow that even in them the original process of the +disease, tuberculosis, is influenced in the same manner by this remedy +as in other patients, but that it is impossible to remove the gangrenous +masses of tissue and also the secondary supurative processes. Naturally +we are led to think that perhaps in some of these severe cases cures may +be effected by means of a combination of this healing process together +with surgical aid (after the manner of operating empyema) or some other +curative means. I would not advise anyone however, to apply this remedy +without discrimination in every case of tuberculosis. The simplest mode +of application will certainly be required in treating the first stages +of phthisis and simple surgical affections, but in all other forms of +tuberculosis medical science should draw on all its resources and +individualize carefully to supplement and sustain the action of the +remedy. In many cases I have had the decided impression that the +attendance to and nursing of the patient was of no little influence on +the curative process, and therefore I would prefer the application of +the remedy in suitably adapted institutions, where a close observation +of the patient and the adequate attention to them is possible, to the +ambulant or home treatment. No estimate can at present be made as to the +extent in which a profitable combination can be made between this new +method to cure and those modes of treatment that have thus far been +considered beneficial, the application of mountain climate, the free air +treatment, specific nourishment, etc.; but I trust, that these remedial +factors will be of considerable use in conjunction with the new method +in many cases, especially the severe and neglected as also in the +convalescent stages.[4] + +The nucleus of this new curative method lies in the earliest possible +application. The proper objects of treatment ought to be the first +stages of phthisis, because here the remedy can fully develop its +curative qualifications. Therefore it is of vital importance, more so in +the future, than it has been in the past, that practical physicians +employ all possible means to diagnosticate phthisis in as early a stage +as possible. Until lately the finding of tubercle bacilli existing in +the sputum was rather considered as an interesting incidental evidence, +which, although it insured the diagnosis, was of no further benefit to +the patient and therefore was only too often omitted, as I have only +lately discovered in numerous cases of phthisis which had passed through +the hands of several physicians without having their sputum examined +once. This must be different in the future. Any physician who fails to +search for tubercle bacilli in the sputum, to establish phthisis in as +early a stage as possible, commits gross negligence toward his patient, +because his life may depend on this diagnosis and the specific treatment +which has hurriedly been introduced on this basis. In doubtful cases the +physician should gain certainty as to the existence or absence of +tuberculosis through a trial injection. + +Only then will the new mode of treatment truly become a panacea for +suffering mankind when that period is reached, where all cases of +tuberculosis are treated in as early a stage as possible, to prevent the +development of neglected severer cases which have heretofore formed a +continual unlimited source of new infection. + +In conclusion I would remark, that I have intentionally omitted all +numerical statistics and descriptions of individual cases in this +communication, because the physicians to whose material the patients +provided for our experiments belonged, have themselves undertaken the +description of their respective cases and I did not wish to anticipate +them in an objective representation of their observations. + + + FOOTNOTES: + + [1] Physicians who wish to experiment with the remedy, can get + the same of Dr. A. Libbertz (Berlin, N. W., Lueneburgerstrasse + 28 II.), who has undertaken the production of the remedy with + Dr. Pfuhl's and my assistance. But I must state that the present + stock is very limited, and that larger quantities can only be + disposed of at the end of several weeks. + + [2] We gave children of 3-5 years of age one tenth of this dose, + that is .001 and very weak children .0005 ccm. and obtained a + strong though not alarming reaction. + + [3] This statement is necessarily confined in so far as we have + no conclusive experiences, and can not have at present, that + show whether the cure is a permanent one, recidivations of + course are not excluded for the present. But we may assume that + these will be removed as easily and quickly as the first attack. + + On the other hand it is possible from analogy with other + infectious diseases that those who are once cured become + permanently exempt. This must also be considered an open + question for the present. + + [4] It was impossible to collect data referring to + cerebral-laryngeal-and miliary-tuberculosis, as we did not have + sufficient material. + + + + +Explanatory Notes. + + +Koch states that he can not at the present make any statement about the +origin and preparation of the remedy, as his labors are not yet +completed. + +We may assume that it is very probably a substance that corresponds in a +way to the lymph used for vaccination. As vaccine lymph represents +variolous poison greatly reduced in strength, as the remedy for +hydrophobia is composed of a substance which is weakened hydrophobic +poison, so Koch probably obtains his remedy for tuberculosis by +artificially reducing the tuberculous poison by means of various +processes. + +A number of years ago it has been tried with syphilis in a similar way +to obtain a substance that would not only cure syphilis but would also +guard against infection from it. At that time however the experiment was +not successful. + +From several intimations I am inclined to believe that Koch was +successful in finding a way in which a substance may be produced for +contagious diseases, a substance that cures these diseases and also +protects from infection. It is not impossible, since Jenner found the +vaccine virus, Pasteur the hydrophobic lymph and now Koch the tubercle +lymph. + +To be sure there is this difference for the present between the +substances named, that the vaccine virus only protects healthy person +from infection by small pox but it does not cure those sick, while the +hydrophobic lymph and tubercle lymph cure the afflicted. However Koch +seems to believe that his tubercle lymph has a certain power of +producing immunity. + +According to Koch, his remedy, consisting of a brownish liquid, is +easily perishable as soon as it is diluted with water; he recommends the +preparation of the dilution of the remedy with a 5 per cent. phenol +solution. Phenol is equivalent to carbolic acid. The dilution of the +remedy for use must be considerable, as only small quantities of the +same are used. + +Koch tells us that his remedy does not act through the stomach, that is +taken in through the mouth. On one hand it may be that this is due to +the extremely small quantities necessary for an effect, on the other +hand and principally all the substances probably act only when they are +directly applied and brought in contact with the circulation of the +blood. + +For a long time small syringes with fine needle points were used to +inject strong acting drugs under the skin. This is done in a measure to +have a guarantee of a sure effect which is not had by giving through +the mouth. For instance, it is known that emetics given through the +mouth often remain without results; if however the emetic apomorphine is +injected anywhere under the skin, vomiting surely follows within a very +short time. It is well known that morphine is injected under the skin in +preference to taking it through the mouth as its action as a pain killer +is much prompter. + +Koch's liquid can also be injected under the skin with the aid of a +so-called Pravaz syringe. Koch uses a somewhat differently formed +syringe. The result remains the same, no matter what kind of syringe is +used. + +At the same time it makes but little difference, on what part of the +body the injection is made, as the fluid injected under the skin is +distributed at once over the entire system. Koch chose the skin of the +back between the shoulderblades and the loins because here the injection +could be made without causing pain or inflammation. + +The production of the liquid must be attended with great difficulties as +Koch plainly remarks that his stock at present is very limited and he +can only furnish larger quantities at the end of several weeks. The +price of a small bottle to be 25-30 Marks about 6-8 Dollars. + +The human being is much more sensitive to Koch's remedy than the guinea +pig, which is commonly used for experiments of this kind. It seems that +no experiments have as yet been made with other animals. + +Koch has tried the remedy on himself and has passed through all the +symptoms of a poisoning. He certainly injected into his arm a +considerable quantity of the liquid; twenty-five times as much as he +injected in his patients. + +But here also there is a difference. In sick people much smaller +quantities act than in the healthy. One cubic centimeter of the liquid +has hardly any effect on a healthy person, but quite a marked one on +those afflicted with tuberculosis. + +In the case of the latter one cubic centimeter produces about the same +symptoms as twenty-five times the quantity would in a healthy person. +The same must also be considered as symptoms of poisoning; but they are +only of short duration and are accompanied with magnificent success. + +Of all diseases based on tuberculosis only ringworm or lupus is +perceivable by the eye, as it is a disease of the skin, all other +tuberculous diseases take their course in the internal parts of the +body, and therefore are not perceptible to the eye. The symptoms that +follow an injection of Koch's liquid can be best observed in the case of +lupus. + +Koch therefore selected for his first illustration patients afflicted +with lupus that is ringworm. Even a few hours after the injection the +first perceptible changes begin to show in the diseased parts. These +begin to swell and redden; in other words an inflammation is caused, +through which the diseased tissue is obviously brought to mortification. +Soon the inflammation stops. The gangrenous tissue changes into crusts +or scabs which drop off in a short time and the patient is cured of his +ringworm. + +Koch places particular importance on the fact that the inflammation is +restricted to the diseased parts only, and that it does not attack sound +and healthy parts. Even the smallest otherwise invisible knots are made +perceptible through the inflammation. + +We have similar illustrations for this specific action of Koch's remedy +for lupus (ringworm). So for instance a syphilitic ulcer on the thigh +may be cured in a few days with iodide of potassium. In a similar +manner a morbidly enlarged spleen may be reduced to the normal size by +taking quinine. + +The observation is very interesting indeed, as it may be shown whether a +person is tuberculous in any organ or not by the injection of .01 ccm. +In case he is tuberculous the poisoning symptoms appear in a marked +degree; if he is not, hardly any effect is noticeable. + +Although we have had excellent methods for a long time to detect +pulmonary consumption, although Koch added the discovery of the tubercle +bacilli, it occasionally happens that the disease can not be recognized +in its beginning stages, because its progress is too slight. Now the +reaction following an injection is to be the deciding medium. Also with +other tuberculous affections physicians will welcome this diagnostic +auxiliary, for in the beginning of the same it often happens that no +certain diagnosis could be made and valuable time was lost. + +We must call particular attention to the further statements of Koch, +that through his remedy the tubercle bacilli are _not_ killed. With this +it is admitted that the remedy will not be able to effect cures, without +any more ado, yes, even the tubercle bacilli may continue to infect +parts of the body even in spite of the action of the remedy. + +Therefore the application of Koch's remedy only, is not sufficient to +effect a cure. Provision must be made to remove the gangrenous tissue +from the body as rapidly as possible, because it contains the still +living tubercle bacilli. As a rule surgical aid is necessary to remove +the mortified tissue. Where this is impossible Koch advises the +continued application of the remedy to protect the endangered living +tissue from the re-immigration of the tubercle bacilli. Koch thereby +believes that he can protect the tissue, perhaps in the manner as +vaccination protects from small pox. + +The rapid increase in the quantity of the remedy applied in the course +of time is something that has no parallel. Koch gives an explanation, +but leaves it to the future to be confirmed. We have no previous +instance in case that his explanation should prove correct. Reasoning +from analogous application of our remedy, we are led to assume that +_smaller_ quantities of the substance would suffice to cause +mortification of the remaining tuberculous tissue. Koch on the other +hand uses larger and larger doses to reach a result. He admits inurement +to the remedy within certain limits only. + +Koch has made a difference between pulmonary consumptives and those +suffering from tuberculosis of the bones and joints, etc. He was able to +inject larger quantities in the latter than the former, for the quantity +injected in the case of pulmonary consumptives was .001 ccm.; in other +tuberculous cases .01 ccm. + +Koch selected pulmonary consumptives for his experiments, whose sputum +contained tubercle bacilli, so as to make no error in the diagnosis, and +to ascertain by killing the bacilli contained in the sputum, whether the +diseased tend toward restoration. As the remedy does not kill the +bacilli, so a diminution of the bacilli can only be obtained in that +manner, that the tissue of the lungs undergoes certain changes, which +cause its properties to be such, that the bacilli are no longer able to +exist or propagate in them. Then a so-called immunity results which we +know of in other similar diseases. We know that anyone who has had the +measles or scarlet fever rarely is again attacked by the same, as a rule +he is permanently proof against them. + +In the same way as vaccination protects from small pox, an injection of +Koch's remedy acts against pulmonary consumption. Koch makes a cautious +statement: + + "On the other hand it is possible, from analogy with other + infectious diseases that those who are once cured become + permanently exempt." + +Koch reaches this result, that beginning phthisis can with certainty be +cured with his remedy. On the other hand, advanced consumptives, in +whose lungs large cavities already exist, may possibly be improved but +can not be cured. However he provokes the idea, that perhaps his method +of treatment together with a surgical operation, that removes all +gangrenous matter from the lungs, may yet have beneficial results in the +end. The idea is not entirely new to treat lung diseases with the aid of +surgery; unfortunately the operations have heretofore been thought too +risky. Perhaps we will now have a new branch in operative technic, +surgery of the lungs. Koch advises to conduct this lung surgery after +the manner of operating empyema. This is an operation performed in the +case of suppurative pleurisy to remove the pus from the pleural cavity. +This operation has been successfully carried out for a long time. + +Koch makes it of especial importance, that while treating consumption +with the new remedy, the general attendance and nursing is not to be +neglected. Koch also calls attention to what has been said before, that +the general hygienic factors, good hospital treatment, mountain climate, +etc., will never be dispensed with, on the contrary will be +indispensible to the furtherance of cure. + +In conclusion Koch again remarks that brilliant results are only +promised in the early stages of pulmonary consumption (phthisis). +Physician and patient must move all levers as to the existence or +non-existence of tuberculous diseases. + +Then those daily pictures of extreme wretchedness from consumption will +be a thing of the past. Then the danger of contagion will be lessened +resulting from the decrease of the number of tuberculous persons and of +the tubercle-bacilli, and perhaps it will soon be possible to name the +day on which with the last tubercle-bacillus the ravaging pest, +tuberculosis, will be extirpated. + + + +-------------------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent use of develops/developes, and centres/centers | + | has been retained as in the original. | + +-------------------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Prof. Koch's Method to Cure +Tuberculosis Popularly Treated, by Max Birnbaum + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK METHOD TO CURE TUBERCULOSIS *** + +***** This file should be named 27181.txt or 27181.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/1/8/27181/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Norbert H. 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