Iron County register., 1899-08-10
BACILLUS PRODUCING GAS.
If 1t Gets Into Wound the
Sufferer Puffs Up Like
Balloon,

Bacteriology has produced new and
important discovery in a bacillus which
produces an inflammable gas, both be-
fore and after death. The first re-
searches prove the rapid development
of the bacillus in the blood vessels after
death. Later it was shown that this
organism can, and sometimes does.
grow before death. The only treatment
which has resulted in recovery to
this time is amputation, and in some in
stances that, too, has failed.
The name which scientists have given
to this bacillus is the ''bacillus aero
genes capsulatus." When the bacillus
Is in jected into the bodies of mice.
guinea pigs, rabbits and pigeons it
means death for those subjects in from
one or two days. The bacillus rapid
ly develops an enormous amount of
gas throughout the body, till the vic
tim is swollen like a balloon for the
gas collects under the skin and puffs
it up like a bladder. This gas burns
with blue flame if it is allowed to es-
cape and then touched with a match.
Infection with this bacillus produces
a rapid poisoning. with a breaking
down of the infected tissues, and the
gas quickly spreads gangrene. Death
follows unless prompt and thorough
means are taken for the removal of the
entire infected area.
Infection from this bacillus NAV
reach wounds through instruments, the
hands of surgeons or through the in
testinal tract.
a 47.nn 4n<J 1al~
recently was that of a negro prisoner
who had been shot. He was 80 years old
and weighed 100 pounds. Forty hours
before observation he had received a
revolver bullet below the knee. which
had ranged downward, and passed out
of the leg six inches below. The skin
all over the wounded member was dis
tended into a huge bag and gave a
cracking sensation on pressure. \
bloody. bubbling. frothy fluid exuded
from the wound of exit on the slightest
touch. The wound of entrance had
partially healed, and it had healthy
appearance.
As soon as the leg had been cleansed
with an antiseptic solution the man
was etherized and a deep incision made
Fluid and gas rushed out with noise
that could be heard all over the room
The wound was thoroughly cleansed,
being irrigated with hot water. 1t was
packed with antiseptic gauZe then, and
it was felt that the leg might be saved.
Then the doctor and his assistants be-
gan to hunt for the bacillus. They
found it, and subsequent Investigations
proved that they had caught the right
fellow. But the next morning the leg
was as bad as before, and it was de-
cided that nothing but amputation
could save the mans life. The opera
tion was performed, and eventually the
man recovered.-N. Y. Press.
Being an Example.
He sat at the extreme end of an open
car, putting his pipe with an air of in
tense satisfaction. The conductor
noted it, and said:
''Gettin' your moneys WORTH"
The pipe player gave him an eloquent
wink.
BET your life he replied. 'It's the
best ten cents worth on tap anywhere
in this town, an me putin all the
time there an back
Olu woman uO"n on 1t QueFIeO the
conductor.
That's right" said the nicotine
nurser. ''She kicks like a mule when
smoke it at home. Says it's a bad ex-
ample to set the boys. So. as I'm too
tired after my work to take walk an
smoke, I take ride"
Right you are" said the man of
nerve and nickels. How old are the
boys?''
Fourteen and 16," replied the other,
"an' the joke is that they both smoke
like chimbleys. But the old woman
amt ton."-Cincinnati Enquirer.