Koch's Theory Bowled Out

Dr. Robert Koch is at fault when his theory “minimizing the danger of human infection” from bovine tuberculosis is proven incorrect, and the importance of stopping the spread of it is now stressed.

A signal victory was won by the opponents of the theory advanced by Dr. Robert Koch, the eminent German scientist, minimizing the danger of human infection from bovine tuberculosis bacilli, when the sixth triennial Congress on Tuberculosis at Washington, just before the final adjournment, placed itself squarely on record in opposition to the views of the German savant. The controversy over this momentous issue, which has been the subject of much spirited debate during the entire proceeding of the congress, reached its climax when that body, by unanimous vote, adopted a resolution recognizing the “possibility” of human infection from the bovine tuberculous bacilli. The text of the resolution, which was one of a series of official declarations, is as follows: “Resolved, that the utmost efforts should be continued in the struggle against tuberculous to prevent the conveyance from man to man of tuberculosis infection, as the most important sources of the disease. That preventive measure be continued against bovine tuberculosis, and that the possibility of the propagation of this to man be recognized. This official expression, which was one of the most important results of the sessions of the congress, was greeted with prolonged cheers. An effort was made at a secret meeting of notable American and foreign scientists to induce Dr. Koch to recede from his position, but he refused. The meeting was very spirited. Dr. Abraham Jacobi, of New York declared at one point: “the lives of thousands of babies in the world are of far more importance than the reputation of one scientist.”

“Koch's Theory Bowled Out,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/724.