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Story
October 13, 1909
The Citizen
Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Professor Elie Metchnikoff discovers old age as a disease from putrefactive bacteria in the large intestine poisoning the blood, suggesting antidotes could prolong life indefinitely. New York doctors praise the breakthrough and discuss bacterial replacement.
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OLD AGE DELAYED.
Prof. Metchnikoff's Discovery
Death Caused by Bacteria.
Publication of the astounding discovery of Professor Elie Metchnikoff, head of the Pasteur institute in Paris, to the effect that old age constitutes an actual, definite disease emanating from the large intestine, was received with great interest in New York.
Professor Metchnikoff as the result of experiments has developed the theory that death is a disease due to the formation of putrefactive bacteria. These bacteria form in the large intestine, and their effect is to poison the blood. If an antidote powerful enough to combat the poison is found Professor Metchnikoff and his associates are confident that death can be warded off indefinitely.
"Professor Metchnikoff's discovery forms an epoch in the annals of medical science," said Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars. "It is a discovery which scientists have been hammering away at for years. I have no doubt that many could live indefinitely if the large intestine could be cut out safely."
Dr. Peter J. Gibbons was enthusiastic over Professor Metchnikoff's discovery.
"The large intestine can truly be called the mother of old age," he said. "Nearly all the troubles that afflict the human race to-day come from that one source, the putrefaction of the large intestine. I have no doubt that if a powerful agent can be found to destroy the fatal bacilli, human life will be indefinitely prolonged."
Dr. F. Mortimer Lawrence said:
"Professor Metchnikoff is on the right road to discover means of ridding the intestines of bacteria without harm to the patient. The professor has suggested it might be possible to replace the harmful bacteria with others whose presence would be a blessing rather than a curse.
"Such an organism was at first found in Russia in the kephir bacillus, and since then other even more powerful varieties have been found. Recent investigations at the Pasteur institute seem to demonstrate there is some ferment totally distinct from lactic acid, and investigations are being conducted of this ferment.
"Recent experiments seem to indicate that this treatment is capable of destroying deadly bacteria which cause suppuration and blood poisoning."
Prof. Metchnikoff's Discovery
Death Caused by Bacteria.
Publication of the astounding discovery of Professor Elie Metchnikoff, head of the Pasteur institute in Paris, to the effect that old age constitutes an actual, definite disease emanating from the large intestine, was received with great interest in New York.
Professor Metchnikoff as the result of experiments has developed the theory that death is a disease due to the formation of putrefactive bacteria. These bacteria form in the large intestine, and their effect is to poison the blood. If an antidote powerful enough to combat the poison is found Professor Metchnikoff and his associates are confident that death can be warded off indefinitely.
"Professor Metchnikoff's discovery forms an epoch in the annals of medical science," said Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars. "It is a discovery which scientists have been hammering away at for years. I have no doubt that many could live indefinitely if the large intestine could be cut out safely."
Dr. Peter J. Gibbons was enthusiastic over Professor Metchnikoff's discovery.
"The large intestine can truly be called the mother of old age," he said. "Nearly all the troubles that afflict the human race to-day come from that one source, the putrefaction of the large intestine. I have no doubt that if a powerful agent can be found to destroy the fatal bacilli, human life will be indefinitely prolonged."
Dr. F. Mortimer Lawrence said:
"Professor Metchnikoff is on the right road to discover means of ridding the intestines of bacteria without harm to the patient. The professor has suggested it might be possible to replace the harmful bacteria with others whose presence would be a blessing rather than a curse.
"Such an organism was at first found in Russia in the kephir bacillus, and since then other even more powerful varieties have been found. Recent investigations at the Pasteur institute seem to demonstrate there is some ferment totally distinct from lactic acid, and investigations are being conducted of this ferment.
"Recent experiments seem to indicate that this treatment is capable of destroying deadly bacteria which cause suppuration and blood poisoning."
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Old Age Disease
Putrefactive Bacteria
Large Intestine
Prolonged Life
Pasteur Institute
Medical Breakthrough
Kephir Bacillus
What entities or persons were involved?
Professor Elie Metchnikoff
Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars
Dr. Peter J. Gibbons
Dr. F. Mortimer Lawrence
Where did it happen?
Paris, New York
Story Details
Key Persons
Professor Elie Metchnikoff
Dr. Raymond L. Ditmars
Dr. Peter J. Gibbons
Dr. F. Mortimer Lawrence
Location
Paris, New York
Story Details
Professor Metchnikoff's experiments reveal old age as a disease from putrefactive bacteria in the large intestine that poison the blood, leading to death. An antidote could ward off death indefinitely. New York doctors endorse the theory, suggesting bacterial replacement or removal to prolong life.