The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-12

The WaddinE From n blank Gar
fridge Became Embedded in His
Hand Near the Thumb-Paid No
Attention to 1t Until Tetanus De-
veIOped, and Then the Best Med
icaI Skill Couldn't Save Him.
George Machovec, 997 West Seventh
street, Is years old, son of the we'll known
West Seventh street grocer, Frank Ma
chavez, died late yesterday afternoon at
ST. Joseph's hospital from tetanus, SUI
perinduced by Fourth Of July accident.
The boy accidentally shot himself in the
hand with a revolver loaded with blank
cartridge, the wad remaining Embedded
in the flesh. The particles of poison and
the chemically treated wad caused the
formation of pus, which was not allowed
to escape. The circulation Of the poison
through his system caused tetanus and
death resulted. When George received the
wound, on the Fourth, he did not think
it serious 1t caused so little pain that
he simply bound up his hand with a
bandage and said little or nothing about
it. On Monday morning, when his father
went TO call IllIn IOI III OcirNIclSI IAAC w
complained of stiffness in his back and
neck He dressed and sat at the table
for his meal, but the symptoms grew
worse during the morning, and doctor
was called. A hasty examination showed
him that the case was serious, and ne
refused to treat 1t. The boy was there
fore taken to st. Joseph's hospital, Where
he was put in charge of DR.. Sh1monek
By this time tetanus symptoms had be-
come very marked. An examination OF
the wound in his left hand showed
small black sore, and, the plaster when
covered it being removed, gathering OF
pus deep in the flesh An operation was
performed and antisepuc treatment
given, but the poison had gained toe
great circulation and the meaSui g
| proved ineffective.
consultation of several OF the most
prominent physicians in the city was
held in hopes that the patient might De
saved. A recently discovered anu toxin
| treatment was administered, which mas
| been found unusually efficient In tetanus
cases. but the symptoms grew more ana
! more marked. with decreasing chances
| of saving his life. At o'clock yesterday
afternoon the boy lost consciousness for
! the first time and afterwards sank rapid
| ly Death came at 5 o'clock.
The hospital physicians state that the
| boys chances of life after Monday noon
were never great. In such cases, the
| symptoms do not develop until after a
period ranging from eight to ten days,
| and then the disease makes rapid Sd
| vances. Even the best treatment known
| to the medical profession is of little use
| against the disease and the great ma
| jority of patients suffering from it dc
not recover. During the operation which
| followed the boys removal to the hos
! pital the wad from the blank cartridge
was found. 1t has been sent to a laba-
! ratory for analysis and it is expected
| that tetanus germs will be Isolated. One
| of the doctors stated last night that the
| boy was bitten by a dog several weeks
! ago and it was thought at first that he
! suffered from the effects of it. The ply
| sicians examination however, showed
| that the bite had not affected him and
| that the symptoms which he exhibited
! were caused by tetanus.
The deceased was we'll known and pop
ular among the young folks of the Fifth
ward. The funeral will take place Thurs
| day morning at 9 o'clock from Church OF
st. Stanislaus, corner Western and SD
perior street.