Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-12-06
LockIaw
Medical opinion of Fourth of Jaly Gases.

! The fact that there have been thirteen
deaths Of boys between the ages of 10
and is years recently from lockjaw (te-
tanus), and nearly all from wounds in
the left hand from the toy blank cart
ridge pistol. has attracted general
attention to the subject. The toy
pistol most generally in use by boys
, this Summer ia about four inches
in length. and explodes blank cart
ridge in a fitetalle case, with q
pasieboard or other thick paper wad.
but carries no bail or saot in the cart.
ridge. In order to insert the cartridge
the breach OF the barrel il raised by
pressing on the iisixer-picce forward 81
/ IL ~ xsf. hsss NV - tapstu,DsII
hold Of the barrrl with his left hand,
the muzzle pressing against the palm Of
the hand, near the ball Of the thumb
frequently, and raises the hammer with
his right hand. In loading, however.
unless the utmost care is exercised. the
hammer slips from the finger and exs
plodes the cartridge. while the barrel il
held against the palm Of the left hand.
The Illuminated powder. the wad. or the
metallic case Of the cartridge, intlicts
the wound, which is often so slight that
a physician is not called in, even If the
boy does not, Spartan-like conceal his
wounds from his parents until he is past
relief. Many physicians say that it is
not any special pungency or acridness
in the Illuminating powder which causes
lockjaw but that a lacerated or Jagged
wound in the palm OF the hand is more
likely to result In lockjaw, because of
the network of nerves and the numerous
blood-ressels which concenter there aud
radiate from that point. One Of the
largest of these nerves. near the thumb.
connects with the muscles of the back
of the neck, and susceptibility to lock-
! jaw follows an injury TO the nerve near
| the ball of the thumb especially, as we'll
rs to the other nerves in the palm. Some
| physicians also suspect that the fulnii-
mating powder used in the manufacture
of these cartridges has a poisonous prop
erty which, injecting the blood. inci,es
| lockjaw. One at least of the fatal cases
from the use of the toy pistol came from
ahurt 80 slight ut first that the skin was
hardly grazed. One physician is of
opinion that there is an epidemic con-
| dition in the atmosphere which causes
| lOckjaw to follow SO repeatedly such
wounds as are produced by the toy pis-
tol. The toy cartridge pistol referred
| To sells mt retail fol about 70 cents a
| piece. There is smaller make of toy
| pistol selling from to 5 cents, which
has no barrel. and, instead of a cartridge.
small wafer-shaped chemical expo
| sive is laid on round plate on which
| the hammer falls. No serious accidents
| h;,e been reported from these, though
sometimes when carelessly held too close
| to the face the illuminate has inflicted 3
sight singing. In reference to the
| more dangerous instrument, an iutelii-
ligent merchant says that AS .ang rs
they can be bou ght boys will have tne,n.
For his p,sI. Is ~, would rs glad il the sale
ttcusSn Or sscTspSd evrSs skcrss. butt rrra
haps. the only way to effect that pur.
pose will be to proRibit the manufacture
of the pistol by severe penalties. Built
| more Sun.
Monkey Tricks.
An old monkey sat cozilv asleep in d
snug corner, with friend nesting
against HIM and INDUCING likewise in a
comfortable snooze. Presently Young
skylarker approached them somewhat
timidly. and, squatting beside the
friend. sat quiet for some seconds, then
suddenly. as ii possessed BY some mali.
cious inspiration, he reached his arm
out cautiously behind the sinmbering
friend and gave the elderly monkey a
whacking box On the ear. He, waking
in just wrath. and unsuspicious Of the
trnth--for the culprit was now sham.
ming sleep and looked the picture OF in
noccnce--new upon his friend with an
indictment for assault, and caivietl him
with INDUSTRIOUS ciamor roundand round
tho cage, while the culprit sat regarding
them and jabbering with Joy. Some
little time after the performance was re-
peated, the old monkey and his friend
having settled in the corner. and the AS
sault and wrongful punishment occur
ring rs before. Once again the trick
was tried, but the friend who bad twice
suffered was shamming sleep this lime.
and caught the cuIprit in tho Act. aud
with the help Of the old monkey gave
him good drubbing, which. Indeed,
be well deseryed.-AH the Year Ronnd.