TUBERCULOSIS MICROBES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18571, 1 December 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

TUBERCULOSIS MICROBES.

SLAIN BY WORM'S BLOOD;

.■ ■ SCIENTIST'S DISCOVERY. A simple worm, scientifically known as "galleria melionella,"» may : be the salvation of millions of human lives, according to the conclusions of Professor Metalnikov, a Russian scientist attached to the Pasteur Institute, France, after experiments lasting since : 1908. The "galleria milionella," according to Metalnikov, 5 is the only living thing absolutely immune to tuberculosis. From its blood the Rusuian scientist is now engaged in producing an -tubercular serum on which the famous Pasteur Institute pins high hopes. , . In 1920 Metalnikov prepared a culture of tuber ; cule microbes at the highest degree of virulence. He injected the fortieth of a cubic centimeter of this culture into the worm, corresponding to a quart and a half of liquid injected into the veins of a human being. If such an injection had been made into the veins of a man he would have died in short; order. But the worm seemed to like the microbes.; He evinced not the slightest sign of a malady. On examination of the worm's blood it was found that all the tubercule microbes were dead— killed with incredible rapidity , by ; somethingsome unknown property-— the worm's vital fluid. *, ~. ■':'■■ This ; "something" it was .discovered dissolved the protective layer of : waxj which . envelopes . the ; Koch , ! baecilus :; and which makes 'it so hard lor ordinary serums to slay. This wax gone, the microbe ,is helpless■ before the normal attacks of' the ''good" microbes found in every lining organism, „ Metalnikov is now trying to extract from '■ the blood of the worm the contrapoisoh and; digestive sugar which allows % the creature to live in security from consumption. For two years', ho has spent seven hours daily at this task, discarding method after ; method; and he announc** a»w that he is within sight of success,'' v ;.■•'■■';:'."■