As a result of the sinking and settling of the vertebrae the spinal chord may suffer from pressure and contusion as it is contained in a channel formed by the vertebrae. Aside from certain pain it may result in paralysis of certain parts.
Formerly the diagnosis of tuberculous inflammation of the spine in its beginning stages was very uncertain. A great 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 process, and suppuration transforms the ringworm into an ulcer covered by a dirty-brown rind and disagreeably colored serum.