New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-21
THE LOCKJAW GERM AT MONTAUh.
TRADITION SAYS THAT 1T ABOUNDs ihH"H
How 1T LIVES AND DEVELOPs-ihH
SOLDIERS AT CAMP WIKOFF IN
LITTLE DANGER FROM
THE cpOPE


Tho beIo, tha, Iocktaw Is endemic on the eastern
end OF Long Island is which dates pacA io'
many wears and the establishment or camp
Wikoff nj Montauk has only served 10 br'ng INC
local traditions Of the disease into more proi'i
nent notice. Although II has been denen '''''
lockjaw depends upon locality II Is wei known ~
physicians who have Investigated the SUBJECT '"a'
It IS more prevalent I'm certain districts IMAM "
others and while they cannot account preciseis
for this observation has confirmed It's truth "A
woll-known bacteriologist Of tho Health boa'"
said In speaking of the present discussion
Ever since have been connected with this Work
7 have heard Of the peculiar prevalence OF 'e'''"',
or lockjaw in that part Of Long Islahd' Jus' ''
have heard of other localities where 1t seemed
more common than throughout the country III b'"
craL That Is not saying you know. that IL occurs
even In those places with what couid ne ch''e" ~
quency: II is really rather rare disease every
where.
Exactly how the tetanus germ gets INTO '',e
earth IS not known but IT s supposed that IL mas
it's way into the soil through manure deposi's' AS
II lies there the germ consists only OF the u"s,
hard spore which forms the end OF the rod-shapen
complete bacillus. This spore Is very tenacious VI
life /, will resist boiling FOR n minute OF t"o'
and will i've FOR indefinite period when y'fs
dry and undlsturbed in the earth. 1t is so small
that II would require at least one hundred thou-
sand of them to he visible the naked eye. In
the districts where lockIaw is found oftenest
there is probably something in the nature or the
soil PARTICULARLY favorable to the preservation OF
this sporo As for the idea that freshly turneu-
M soil Increases tho danger OF the disease, tnrie
may be truth in that. for this reason; ne
spores If course. fall upon the surface OF w
Garth and gradually work their way doWnWdiu
Those which remain or near the TOP may ne
rendered harmless by the action OF the sun. VIM
and rain but those which ar" buried AZ Il Sopu
dcuth are more carefully preserved Th"n, whsn
the ground H. pOughed up, they are exposed III
their full vitality. - =, .o,,,o,
III is not correct to say that tetanus IS caused
hy the spore which gets into the wound. ~, -
caused rather 10y the poison which Is generated II
that SHORE happens 20 develop into a compete
bacillus and To set mp irritation In the cur
with dirt and other foreign matter. IT tetalus
srores should chance 20 get into perfectly clean
in1c,sed wound thoy would very likely cause no
trouble hut would be carried out agHln uu,,
developed It Is In the making OF the wound ,ha,
tho danger usually lies. II the instrument Wit -
which the ciit IS inflicted Is dirty or rusty ana
tho wound Is ragged. so that dirt enters eashy
tho Iockiaw germs may be carried In with that
dirt and Will have good opportunity 10 gro" an"
develop inside. creating the poison. =.
There is little reason TO suppose that any or
tho soldiers now at Moninuk VIII have iockjnW.
for rs have been saying. ~ needs Just inc flsit
conditions 10 develop There would not be the
leas, chance Of the germ getting Into old WOUNDS
which were partly healed such NJ those or ,ns
soldiers who have come from the South. Ana II
tho surgeons should 10 obliged 70 make fresn
wounds IN performing operations. why, ihey "ouln
10 sharp and clean. thoroughly washed out win
antiscptics So the only possible cases or lock
'nw would he from tagged and dirty cuts. which
tho men who are bile go about outdoors might
happcr 10 give themselves. and I'm that respect
Jar Inhabitants 81 ,hc place. Alarm on the SUB
fgas - nrf TgI