The causes and prevention of phthisis.

  • Ransome, Arthur.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The causes and prevention of phthisis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    Williamses, Southey, Ancell, Treves, and a host of others. Every organ and every structure of the tuberculous subject has been carefully examined, weighed, and measured. Their tissues have been searched for ab- normal signs, and analysed to discover alterations in their chemical composition. The blood and all the fluids have likewise been scrutinised by the aid of the microscope, and subjected to chemical research. The functions of the living body have been watched in all their phases—in brief, all the forces of the animal economy have been reckoned up, and the special pathology of tubercle thoroughly searched out. But medical science does not stand still, and since most of the work thus alluded to was performed, great additions have been made to our knowledge of the subject. Koch's great discovery alone would have rendered it desirable, and even necessary, to pass under review the older researches into the etiology and prophylactic treatment of consumption. It is now eight years since Professor Koch succeeded in demonstrating the existence of a specific organism in all tubercular diseases. By pure cultivations of the bacillus, and by numerous experiments upon animals, he may be said to have fully proved its essential relation to the disease. But, notwithstanding the confidence inspired by the character and methods of the discoverer, some little time was needed to establish the truth, and to obtain confirmation of his observations by others. The early years after a great discovery are often thus taken up with its verification and its application to> previously ascertained facts. The master builder ha» laid a head corner-stone, and other minor workers are
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