Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-18
IOCKJAw AND THE PISTOL.


The many deaths in New York and
Vicinity which have resulted recently
! from lockJaw appear 10 demonstrate the
fact that tetanus is unusually prevalent
| In that section. Indeed. II looks as II the
| conditions I'm that part OF the country are
peculiarly apt TO produce the disease. and
that IL Is generated by the soil. atmos-
phcre. etc. Just as other malsdies are.
For some time past IT has been OBJ
served that totsnus was almost endemic
on Long Island. but it has been only
since the Fourth Of July and it's CHASTITY
aftermath OF accidents from the toy
pistol that the malady became particu
larly noticeable in New York and Phiia-
/ delphia j. the last fortnight the fright
| ful diseasV has claimed many victims.
and I'm nearly every case medical skill
has been unavailing to save the patient.
As a matter OF fact the doctors admit
that they have much to learn about lock-
jaw and its treatment although the last
decade has brought forth some valuable
/ discoveries in connection with the dis
ease.
| nus were often confOunded, as their symp-
toms are somewhat alike, but more re-
Gently the former disease has been found
TO possess a decided and "A peculiar indi-
viduaity IT is now pretty generally con
cedcd that lockjaw, Ike most other dis
eases Of deadly nature. has its origin
in a germ. This microbe usually gains
hot
appear 70 be a trivial scratch and when
once in the human system it increases
with almost inconceivabie rapidity 1t
has been estimated that 10000 tetanus
baclli can find a resting place on the
point of a rusty needle, yet II is alleged
that any one OF this number Is able TO
communicate lockjaw in human being.
Lately the doctors have learned that
tetanus does not necessarily result from
wounds Indeed, many Of the cases now
in New York belong TO the class known
as spontaneous tetanus," which result
from unknown causes and without any
break in the continuity of the skin.
While the symptoms Of tetanus are
generally localized in the Jaws. the dis
ease Is by no means confined there, but
affects the entire muscular system and
produces the most excrucating sunorings.
Under the best conditions, the average
mortality from the disease is considered
to be from 80 to 50 per cent. it may be-
however, that the recent interest and
research caused by the many deaths
which have occurred on Manhattan
Island will result IN a reduction of this
percentage.
1t is 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 air, and
in various other places. Richly fertiized
lands arc said 70 be fun of microbes. and
the baciH are believed to be developed
in large numbers near stables and the
haunts of cattle. The old residents OF
Long Island used 20 manure their lands
with dead fish. substance in which the
germs breed plcntifully.
According to the latest experiments
tetanus IS now most successfully treated
through the medium Of anti-toxin serum
Iockjaw. it should be remembered, is
caused by the poisonous powers of a tiny
organism called the bacillus of tetanus.
The poison formed by any kind Of microbe
is scientifically known a. toxin.
This is "A Greek word, which means
poison. Any substance that neutralizes
or destroys a toxin Is, therefore, called
an anti-toXin.
A New York contemporary in discussing
the disease. its treatment and pre-
vention. 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
doctors should be summoned at the first
appearance of an alarming symptom.
Tn Virginia lockjaw is rather rare, and
we hope it never will become as preva-
lent here as it now IS in Boston, New
York. and Philadelphia. While most
cases 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 disease IS
not going 60 become as fashionable" as
appendicitis has become OF late years
-.-------