Robert Koch : in memoriam.

  • Sigard Adolphus Knopf
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Robert Koch : in memoriam. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    what it was prior to Koch’s discovery and isolation of the tubercle bacillus, the saving of life, the less¬ ening of physical suffering, this diminution of the social misery which accompanies all diseases of the masses, is all due to Robert Koch. The financial gain which has accrued to countries and communities which have followed Koch’s teachings regarding the prophylaxis of tuberculosis in man, by preventing costly invalidism, saving countless valuable lives, and retaining them as bread-winners and useful citi¬ zens, is beyond human calculation. By his discov¬ ery of tuberculin he has added an invaluable agent to our methods of early diagnosis of tuberculosis in man and beast, and given to our armamentarium in tuberculotherapy a very important remedy. Through the tuberculin test in cattle the weeding out of tuber¬ culous animals has been made practical and an in¬ calculable benefit bestowed upon animal industry and the dairy business; and possible sources of tu¬ berculous transmission from beast to man have been reduced to a minimum. The same may be said of Koch’s discoveries regarding anthrax and rinder¬ pest. The vast and inestimable good this one man has been able to bestow upon mankind by his scien¬ tific labors will forever remain unique in the his¬ tory of human possibilities. The life of Robert Koch should serve as an in¬ spiration, not only to us who are his humble dis¬ ciples, but to all mankind. The motto of his first scientific communication was “nunquam otiosus” (never idle), and he had adhered to it up to his al¬ together too early death. In scientific research, in constant work to combat disease and make man¬ kind healthier and happier this great man found his reward. Honors and distinctions of all kinds have been
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