H. F. Formad, the Bacillus tuberculosis 



121 



no doubt of the existence of this organism in the sputa of patients 

 suffering from this disease. 



It appears, also, that Dr. Koch has conclusively proved, by direct 

 experiments on animals, that this bacillus is the direct cause of tuber- 

 cular disease, — viz., the genuine Bacillus tuberculosis. The experi- 

 ments of Koch to prove this proposition are also widely known, having 

 been quoted in medical journals all over the world. 



The advantages under which Koch made his propaganda for the 

 parasitic origin of phthisis were unusually favourable. His reputation and 

 his diligence as a mycologist are certainly unrivalled in Germany 

 since the time of the publication of his classical work on anthrax and 

 infectious surgical diseases. He is also an excellent advocate for his 

 cause, and an eloquent writer. Like a good lawyer, he understood 

 how to bring forward his case well and in a convincing manner be- 

 fore the jury, — the medical profession at large. His recent appoint- 

 ment as Imperial Councillor and Chief of the Laboratories to the 

 National Board of Health of the German Empire also gave great 

 weight to his statements. Dr. Koch's conclusions concerning the etio- 

 logy of phthisis have been endorsed by some distinguished scientists 

 and prominent clinicians in Germany, England, and Amerika. The 

 newspapers of all lands have taken hold of this important matter, 

 and spread the news of the great discovery. Pilgrims from all nations 

 have flocked to Berlin and listened to Koch's words, have seen with 

 their own eyes the fatal bacillus and had its effects demonstrated to 

 them, and have returned convinced and delighted to their homes, to 

 preach loudly and enthusiastically the great doctrine of the true pa- 

 rasitic origin of phthisis. Dr. Koch also demonstrated the Bacillus 

 tuberculosis to Emperor William of Germany. The venerable monarch 

 looked into the microscope, and was deeply impressed and convinced 

 about the infectiousness of phthisis. Hence is must be so. 



These views suit the profession exactly. The prevailing opinion 

 has always been that there must be a specific poison of some kind, 

 transmissible from person to person and from animal to man through 

 food, cohabitation, etc. The Bacillus tuberculosis fills the gap ex- 

 cellently, and is now a convenient explanation and proof of the in- 

 fectiousness of phthisis. 



