The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-22
Lockiaw and the Pistol.
The Richmond Dispatch says

The Richmond Dispatch says
The many deaths in New York
and vicinity which have resulted re
Gently from lockjsw appear to dem
onstrate the fact that tetanus is I'M
usually prevalent in that section.
Indeed, II looks as # the conditions
in that part of the country are pecu-
liaIly apt to produce the diseases and
that it is generated by the soil, at
mosphere, etc. just rs other maladies
are.
" For some time past II has been
observed that tetanus was almost
endemic on Long Island, but 1t has
been only since the Fourth OF July
and its CHASTITY aftermath OF acei
dents from the toy pistol that the
mslady became particularly notice
able in New York and Philadelphia.
la the last fortnight the frightful dis
ease has claimed many victims, and
In nearly every case medical skill has
been unavall0g to save the patient
As matter Of fact, the doctors ad-
nit that they have much to learn
about lock aw and It's treatment, al
though the last decade has brought
forth some valuable discoveries IN
connection with the disease.
" In days gone 10y hydrophobia and
tetanus were often coniouuded, as
their symptoms are somewhat alike,
but more recently the former disease
has been found to possess decided
and peculiar individuality. 1t IS
now pretty generally conceded that
locKiAw, like most other diseases OF
a deadly nature, has it's origin IN a
germ. This mscrobo usually gains
access to the blood through what
may appear TO be trivial scratch
and when once in the human systom
| II increases with almost lncOncelyable
rapidity. Ii has been estimated that
200 900 tetanus bacll can find rest
ing place on tho point OF rusty
needle, yet it is alleged that any one
of this number is able to commune
cate lockjaw in human being.
Lately the doctors have learned that
telauus does not necessarily result
from wounds. Indeed, many Of the
cases now in New York belong to the
class known AS " spontaneous teta-
nus which result from unknown
causes aud without any break IN the
continuity of the skin.
" While the symptoms OF tetanus
are generally local zed in the JAWS.
the disease is by no means confined
there, but affects the entire muscular
system and produces the most excru-
ciating sufferinRs.
" Under the best conditions, the
average mortality from the disease
is considered to be from so to 30 per
cent. 1t may be, however, that the
recent interest and research caused
by the many deaths which have oc.
Cured on Manhattan Island will re-
suit in reduction OF this percent
age.
"Itis said that the germs of lockJaw
are usually found in the earth, but
that they are also present in all kinds
Of dirt in garden soil in dust IN
the sir, and in various other places
Richly feIt zed lands are said to be
full of microbes, and the bacilli are
believed to be developed in large
numbers near stables and the haunts
of cattle. The old residents of Long
Island used to manure their lands
with dead fish, substance in which
a. L-rgl .Nlanttfpllu
&" According to the fastest expert
ments tetanus is now most success
fully treated through the medium Of
anti toxin serum. Lockjsw,it should
be remembered, is caused by the poi
sonous powers of tiny organism
called the bacillus OF tetanus. The
poison formed by any kind of mcrobe
is scientifically known as a toxin.
This is a Greek word, which means
poison. Any substance that neutral
Uses or destroys toxin is, therefore,
called an anti-toxin.
"a New York contemporary in dis
cussing the disease, its treatment,
and prevention, says that children
we suppose it means children Of that
section-should not be allowed to go
barefooted or play in the dirt that
their scratches and sores should be
promptly attended to, and that doc,
tors should be summoned at the first
appearance of an alarming symptom.
" In Virginia lockjaw is rather
rare, and we hope it never will be
come as prevalent here as it now is
in Boston, New York, and Phlladel-
phia. While most eases up there are
chargeable to the toy pistol, which
frequently sends fragments of the
decorating cap into the boys hand,
it appears that other cases are in no
wise attributable TO that cause.
" We earnestly pray that this dis
ease is not going to become as clash
ionable" as spI endcitis has become
of late years"