The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-29
THE GERM OF LOCKJAw.
t Exists in the Earth Everywhere-Im-
munity Obtainable by incubation.

WAsHISGToN CITY, Feb. o. Especial. l.
The latest development of disease proven
ton and cure by incubation is very re-
markable indeed. 1t has been found that
an exceedingly poisonous substance can
be extracted from the brains of rats that
have died of rabies, which, when admin
istered by injection to guinea pigs and
rabbits, produces immunity from lockiaw.
In other words. the animals thus treated
are rendered safe from the disease and do
not take 1t when inoculated with lockiaw
germs. Obviously, it has not been consid-
cred practicable to make this test with
people, but it is generally admitted that
what applies in this way to rabbits and
guinea pigs also applies to human beings.
Two Italian Savants, Professors Tizzoni
and Cattanl, have recently isolated germs
OF lockJaw and have not only rendered
guinea pigs and rabbits immune from the
disease by injecting poison derived from
them, but have cured six human beings
attacked by the complaint by means of in
oculauon. As lSweli known, iockjaw has
hitherto been considered almost inevitably
fatal. The germs of the disease seem to
be found in the surface SOIL SO that i'm
mense numbers of them may exist in any
body's garden. Rats can he gwen lockiaW
with their food. That Is the reason why
wound from rusty nail is apt to COM
munlcate the trouble. 1t is not the rust
that is responsible, rs is commonly
thought, but rusty nail is q dirty one.
ana presumably has been lying on the
ground. 1t has lockjaw germs on it, and
they inoculate the victim. Such Z hurt in
the palm of the hand or the sole of the
foot is likely 10 produce the trouble, be-
cause in either place there is a bundle of
nerves. The disease is one of the nervous
system.
4 regular hatchery for rabbits and
guinea pigs is maintained near Washing
ton City by the bureau OF animal industry,
where these unfortunate victims OF science
are raised in large numbers for purposes of
incubation with unpleasant colu plants.
With the same object in view, many rats
are trapped wherever they can be caught.
1t IS rough on them, but in this
way knowledge OF methods for treating
ANIMALS for hog cholera, CHAMBERS and
other destructive diseases is being OBJ
tanned which promises 10 edectuaiIy wipe
out these Affections within few years.
The germs Of each disease produce q spe-
oiaI and peculiar poison incidentally
To ieedlng upon the tissues OF
the beast attacked. This poison IS
got in pure state by an elaborate
chemical process, diluted with water and
injected with squirt. koch's lymph is
preparation of this description from con-
sumption germs. All OF these germs are
bacteria of different species-microscopi
vegetable organisms which act as dcstrlc-
tive parasites. Likewise it IS with the
germs which produce diphtheria. pneu-
nonia, carbuncie. cholera. typhoid fever.
etc. They are all being stuffed diligently
by science the world over. and il is only a
question Of comparatively short time
when their operations will be TO a great
extent successfully antasonized. Thus
great dangers 70 the health of mankind
viii be removed or - far modified that
the average length Of human life will be
much increased