452 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



"IV. Presentation of tables demonstrating the efficacy of the pro- 

 eedure recommended by the author for rendering cow-houses that are 

 most seriously infected with tuberculosis, healthy, and to restore 

 them to their original state without being obliged to buy a single ani- 

 mal from outside. Calves born of tuberculous cows remain healthy 

 on the only condition of isolating them from their mothers as soon as 

 they are born, and of feeding them by bottle with boiled milk." 



The use of tuberculin for diagnosis as well as treatment in the 

 human being was the subject of discussion in a joint meeting be- 

 tween the Medical and Pathological sections. The discussion was 

 led by Dr. G. A. Heron, of London, who said that he was responsi- 

 ble for more than 2,000 injections of it. He held strongly to the opin- 

 ion that it had great value both from the diagnostic as well as 

 therapeutic standpoint, and as to the possibility of harm, he said ''I 

 am strongly of the opinion that it is at least as safe to the patient 

 as is any other very potent drug." Prof. Koch followed, and said 

 that from a study of over 3,000 cases he was convinced that as a diag- 

 nostic test, tuberculin was almost absolute. In early and uncom- 

 plicated cases of tuberculosis it was of great value therapeutically, 

 and complete cure often followed its use. To obtain its full value 

 the temperature of the patient should be normal before making the 

 injections. The value of tuberculin for diagnosis was upheld by Dr. 

 Osier, of Baltimore, but he regarded its therapeutic power as lim- 

 ited. Prof. McCall Anderson, of Glasgow, regarded it as invaluable 

 for diagnosis, and of great benefit in cases of external tuberculosis. 

 The chief opponent to the use of tuberculin was Dr. Theodore Wil- 

 liams, of the Brompton Hospital, who after repeated trials had 

 abandoned it entirely. He held that even in early cases of phthisis 

 it caused destruction of long tissue, and even if a temporary arrest 

 of the disease followed, cure was not certain. 



While there was no vote taken as to the sense of the meeting, it is 

 ray impression that the weight of opinion was that tuberculin had 

 much value for diagnostic purposes, and that it produced no bad 

 effects. 



Prof. Robert Koch was the chief speaker at the second general 

 meeting, held at St. James' Hall on Tuesday afternoon, July 23. 

 The views announced were so contrary to the former teachings of 

 Prof. Koch, and to the opinions generally held, that his address 

 caused much excitement, as well as consternation. It is given in 

 full below: 



