IS THE MICROBE A BOGEY?

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 275, 16 August 1919, Page 8

IS THE MICROBE A BOGEY?

GERM THEORY OF DISEASE CHALLENGED STRANGE LIBERTIES WITH DISEASE BACILLI (By Dr. J. D. Froser, M.D., of Toronto. Canada, in tho "Physical' Culture" Magazine.) Tho latter part of the nineteenth century saw tho rise and development of the Germ Theory, which grew rapidly, and to-day is honestly accepted by thousands of people both la-y and professional, as the true cause of diseaso. This theory was mainly developed by German scientists, who deserve credit for tho years of painstaking study spent in deciding what germ was found with disease. This theory is mainly based 01. tho fact that special germs are found iu special disease, and that if these germs aro injected hypodea'mically in 6nmll animals they will cause disease, and this diseaso may bo communicated to a set* ond, third, or fourth animal by siiccesssive injections. Gorm theorists clnim that men Inking these germs (visible only with the microscope) in air, water, fcod, 9* milk, nrti liable to contract diseaso without coming in contact with a sick patient, but as this theory is well known 110 further pai. ticulars are needed. An outstanding feature of the nine, toenth century theory is that disease hah a terrestrial origin, and that the cause may be seon with a microscope. The twentieth century promises a markca advauco in solving the causes of dis. ease.

Chemical Causes.. The old Germ Theory recognised/but one cause for disease, viz., germs;' thb later and more advanced ■ bio-chemio theory recognises the fact that most 01 our common non-contngioufi diseases ai'b duo to chemical rather than bacterial causes. The basis for this later theory is the ceaseless chemical changes that take plate in tho human body during life, and on which life itself depends. For instance, tho air we inhalo undergoes a chemical change before being exhaled; tho milk we drink is not absorbed as milk, but undergoes clTemical changes before being assimilated, tho food wo take would pats through tho body unchanged but for the action ot ptynlin, gastric, and pancreatic fluid, bite, etc., each having its own chemical effects on the food; and any interference with these chemical changes by any agent whatever, tends to cause disease. This theory has also a biological basis, for tho clearer idea we get of Life itself, whether in man, plant, or animal, thb botter our chances of discovering thi> varied agents that affect it. The biochemic theory flatly contradicts tho germ theory, regarding the cause of disease— tho latter claims that germs are the cause of disease, and diyigerous; the former, that germs' are the product of disease and harmless. In eacli case the term germ denotes the spwsial bacilli found in ijho disease investigated. Tho bio-cbemic theory is only in ,its infancy—but already it has proofs that germs aro not necessary to produce pneumonia, typhoid, tuberculosis, etc., nor to produce mental disease; bait-yet an im. mense amount of work will have to bo done before the causes of' some other diseases aro settled.

Broadly speaking, the Germ Theory was developed by European scientists, while the'bio-chemio is being developed by sicentists of Canada and the United States; and a battle royal may be expected between tho Old and New World theories. ~ •

111 an earnest endeavonr to determine whether germs aro dangerous, -Toronto has taken an honourable part. In solving this question, the first three, years 1911-12-13 wero spent in studying a single point, viz., wiien d.nes the germ appear? The verdict was after the onset of disease; and this fact led to the supposition that germs wero simply a iby-product of disease, and possibly harmless. In 1914 a small group of citizens undertook to settle the latter point by adopting Hunter's method of direct action, viz., incorporating fresh, 'vigorous germs in food and drink, ond then - using that food in the ordinary way. Tempting Providence. This proposal was vigorously opposed by friends and acquaintances who pointed out the danger, and said it was tempting Providence; but experience showed there was no danger, and that olio could telnet Providence in that, lino (taking germs) with impunity. The first experiment made was taking 50,000 diphtheria germs in water, and, after a few days' suspense nnd no sign of the disease, it was considered that danger had passed. Tho reason for choosing diphtheria genus for the first experiment was that in aconito -we had an especially reliable remedy for aborting the disease, provided it showed signs of developing.

In the second experiment, 150,000 diphtheria germs were used in milk, nnd agnin.no signs of diphtheria appeared. In the third experiment over one million diphtheria germs were used in food without producing any signs of Hie disease. In the fourth experiment; millions of diphtheria germs were swabbed over the tonsils and soft palate, under tho tongue, and in the nostrils; and still no evidence of the disease was discernible. As these results'were very satis-' factory, it was. decided to test out several other kinds of germs. A series of tests was made with pneumonia germs, in which millions of germs were used in milk, water, bread, potatoes, meat, etc.; and, although persistent efforts were made to coax them to develop, absolutely no sign of the disease appeared. j

Another series of painstaking exneriments ivns carried out with tvpiioid germs, especial care being taken 'to infect distilled water, natural milk (not pasteurised), bread, meat, fish, potatoes, etc.. etc., with millions of the most vigorous germs that could 1)9 inctibatedy and, but for the knowledge that they hod been taken, one would have known nothing about ,it. Meningitis and Tuberculosis. Another series of tests was made with the dreaded lueningitu germs, and, as tho germs aro believed to develop mainly in the mucus membranes ot tho nostrils, especial pains were taken to swab millions of the germs over the floor and sides of the nostrils, into the turbinated sinuses, over the tonsils, under the tongue, and back of the throat. In addition to these tests, other tests were mads in food mid drink—millions of semis in each case—and yet no trace of "tho dis-' ease appeared. The. experiments with tuberculosis germs were carried out in a different way—more time was given between the experiments so as to allow the germs to develop; for clinical evidence has shown that this disease may retnain latent, or imperfectly developed for months. Consequently it meant mouths of watching and waiting before one could lie positive tb"t the gennj would not develop.

[ Here, again, mill-on.*! .of geniis were used in water, milk, and fowl of various kinds; every facility was piven for the germs to develop, as far as time and virilitv, numbers, and variety of food and drink was concerned; nnd. as almost five years has elapsed since the experiment with T.B. began and no nvidenee of tho disease lias appeared, I think we are .'unified in the belief that 11'-< ere'™" are harmless. Tn addition to those experiments combinations of genns were used, such ns typhoid nnd p!ieumo"ia. »<e>mi,7itis and tvphoid. pneumonia and dinhthertr etc., etc., but no evidence of disease foljowod. Food and Exorcise, The ancient. Creek was noted for his physique, yet this was not due to «enin>s, permicid"S, etc.. etc., but simnlv the result of nroper fond nnd judicious exercise. I believe thai: the deadliest enemies irvn )s n'epf; ure pri'iier fond.sanitary conditions, and moderate exercise—three valuable n-gencies and eacli visible. The Toronto experiments are only n r/art of a widening investipntinn recording the danger of germs. IV instance. nnHnri T!o«enau and Gold horsier report that at Gnllups Island thev carried out experiments with influenza germs on fni-i'v-co-en men. nnd none were affected, while Doctors Al'Cov r.nd Rieliey carried out experiments nt Angel Island wit' l similar results. Numerous other experiments Imve tested out the danger of gems and report no danger. Now, in. view of the indisnutahle fact that germs can bo token with impunity, and the comfort and health of Clio public is at stake, wo offor tho following open challenge;— ■ •

1 We hereby challenge any Stat© Board of Health in the United States, or Provincial Board of Health m Canada, to test uut the danger of typhoid, diphtheria, tuberculosis, meningitis, or pneumonia germs in air, food, water, uif mill;; but tvsk for two provisos, viz., that the germs be fresh, vigorous, and true to name; uud the tests he open to the public.