The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-09-07
M1anitowof pilot.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1882.
Lockjaw.
Medical Opinion of Fourth of July Cases.

Medical Opinion of Fourth Of July Cases
The fact that there have been thirteen
deaths of boys between the ages of 10
and 16 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 is about four inches
in length, and explodes blank cart
ridge in a metallic case, with a
pasteboard or other thick paper Nad.
but carries no ball or shot in the cart
ridge. In order to insert the cartridge
the breach of the barrel is raised by
pressing on the finger-piece forward of
the trigger, but to do this the boy takes
hold of the barrel 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 ex-
plodes the cartridge. while the barrel is
held against the palm of the left hand.
The Illuminated powder, the wad. or the
metallic case of the cartridge, infiicts
the wound, which is often SO slight that
a physician is not called in, even if the
boy does not, Spartan-fke conceal his
wounds from his parents until he is past
relief. Many physicians say that it is
not any special pungency or acridness
in discriminating powder which causes
lockjaw. but that 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-vessels which concenter there and
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 well
as to the other nerves in the palm. Some
physicians also suspect that the fulmi-
mating powder used in the manufacture
of these cartridges has poisonous prop
erty which, injecting the blood. incites
lockjaw. One at least of the fatal cases
from the use of the toy pistol came from
hurt so slight at 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-
toll. The toy cartridge pistol referred
to sells at retail for about 20 cents 8
piece. There is a smaller make of toy
pistol selling from l to cents, which
has no barrel, and, instead of g cartridge,
small wafer-shaped chemical explo-
sive is laid on round plate on which
the hammer falls. Noserious accidents
have been reported from these, though
sometimes when carelessly held too close
to the face the illuminate has inflicted a
slight singing. In reference to the
more dangerous instrument, an intelli-
Iigent merchant says that as long as
they can be bought boyswin have them.
For his part he would be glad if the sale
coald be stopped everywhere, but, per-
haps, the only way to effect that pur'
pose will be to prohibit the manufacture
Of the pistol by severe penalties.-.saA''
more Sun.