at number of afflicted are at
present cured by surgical treatment; in former times this was not
possible, as the majority of patients died in whose case the disease had
progressed to suppuration. But the curvature of the spine could not be
removed by any former treatment and can not be by Koch's new method.
Vertebrae once destroyed can in no way be restored to their normal
condition.

Nevertheless the number of patients whose life is spared will be a still
greater one and the number of complete cures will also be increased in a
short time. Formerly tuberculous inflammation of the spine was treated
as follows: the abscesses were opened and antiseptics carefully applied:
mechanical apparatus and corsets were used to aid in a natural cure.
These apparatus will surely be of inestimable value at the application
of Koch's method.

As has been stated before tuberculosis may attack all other bones and
joints and there cause the most serious derangement. Formerly these
tuberculous afflictions were treated surgically or by means of iodoform,
which has produced pretty good results in certain cases.

However it will certainly be possible to produce still better results
with Koch's method of treatment, especially in the restoration of the
functions of the afflicted parts. Here, as in all tuberculous
affections, it is particularly essential to subject the respective case
to treatment in as early a stage as possible and before incurable
destruction of the tissues of the bones and joints have been caused.

A certain disease of the skin called _lupus_ (ringworm) must be counted
in with the number of diseases generated by the tubercle-bacillus.

Lupus may begin in two different ways. Either in the form of a purple
spot, which is raised above the level of the skin and which has no
definite limits but blends with the healthy parts; or as a slightly
raised, moderately firm, darkred grain, sharply limited and about the
size of a pinhead or millet seed.

If the disease has begun in the shape of spots, the afflicted portions
of the skin gradually swell during the process of the disease. Several
isolated knots appear around which the disease spreads more and more.

While the disease thus takes possession of greater area and developes
new centers, a uniform scaling off of all knots begins.

After prolonged existence, sometimes after short duration, decay and
casting off of the epidermis in its entire thickness supercedes the
scaling pro