New theory and old practice in relation to medicine and certain industries : being an analysis of current literature of these subjects / by C.A. Gordon.

  • Gordon, Charles Alexander, 1821-1899.
Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: New theory and old practice in relation to medicine and certain industries : being an analysis of current literature of these subjects / by C.A. Gordon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    116/158 (page 110)
    Whether it is or is not contagious remains an unsettled question. Heredity cannot be reconciled with the bacillus theory. Tlie bacillus sproad.* tlie .secondary inflammation in phthisis rather than is a cause of that disease. Various probabilities with reference to the etiology of phthisis are enumerated. Bacilli are a result, not a cause of tuberculosis. The part they play is sub judice; it remains for inquiry. The bacillus is undistinguishable from other forms of bacteria. Its very existence is denied. The question of tuberculosis now presents more difficulties than it did, even before the performance of experiments alluded to. The total results of the experiments detailed being among them- selves mutually contradictory as now shown, hospital and other clinical experience has to be appealed to. From the experience thus obtained on the subject of communicability of pulmonary consumption or tuberculosis, Dr. Pollock, of Brompton Consumption Hospital, showed that in that institution, so far was that disease from being contagious that the attendants on patients were actually more free from the affection than the generality of the same class who were not exposed to the supposed contagion. {Lancet^ April 28, 1883.) Dr. Andrews, of St. Bartholomew's also was of opinion that there is not sufficient evidence to prove that its prevalence is materially affected by direct contagion. {id., May 10, 1884). Whence it follows that in so far as the benefit of man is concerned, the experiments above detailed were needlessly and uselessly per- formed. The circumstance also is noteworthy, that not a syllable occurs in the details connected with them calculated to have a bearing upon medical treatment, which is the true end and object of medical knowledge.