New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE PREVALENCE OF TETANUs'
rs SOMEBODY MAKING FIREWORKS WHERE LoCN-
Jaw BACn.LI ABoUND7

rs soNEnorY MAKING FIREWORKS WHERE LoNN-
Jaw BAcr1LI ABoUND7
To the Editor Of The Tribune. o-.
Sir: Even casual reader of the ne"spap
during the last two weeks could not nave i"oN
notice the great number OF cases OF 'e"s"us'
loc<taw, reported and the corresponoihsS =,
number of deaths resulting therefrom Tetahus y
not a common disease and the cases reported li0,''
the same places where 1t is prevalent no" nav 49,
the past been comparatively few. What Is '"s
cause OF the sudden increase In the nutoe' "
cases OF the dread disease?
Tetanus IL a disease dependent solely on one
factor-the specific bacillus OF tetanus-and. win
out this factor It IS absolutely impossible 'or tne
disease TO assert Itself The theory generally ac-
cepted by the laty that wounds in certain iooa-
tions, notably between the thumb and hrst hhBei'
from certain causes wound caused W
rusty nail. more likely to be followed by lock
Jaw than those otherwise located. or caused, Is
tcnable. II the specific bacillus OF tetanus Is
by any means brought IN contact with any open
wound IN any part OF the body Il Is fair TO pre-
sumo that tetanus will follow but without the
presence Of the specific bacillus It IS more pos
sible for 10 itself than II Is possloe
10 get something from nothing.
In certain localltes-notably the eastern end OF
Long Isiand-there are almost always some cases
OF tetanus This Is due 10 the fact that the soli
and the water running through the soil are I'M
pregnated with the specific bacillus OF tetanus ana
the object that causes a wound carries into such
wound the time OF the injury some OF the
bacL Not all persons receiving wounds In SUCH
localities develop tetanus. any more than all per-
sons who drink of polluted water develop typhoid
fever, but in such localities the proportion OF
of tetanus TO the number Of people is to say
the least. great That the poison OF tetanus is
present constantly in the soil and water OF GER
tain localities is beyond question. Past experience
has proved that this poison-or bacillus-is not
present IN the soil Of NewYork City or the other
localities from which the have been reported
II question then, naturally arises. Whence comes
the poison-the bacilli-present in this great num-
Der of cases?
This question I shall essay 10 answer My OBJ
tect in writing 10 you Is the hope that you will, by
investigation. prove the truth or fallacy OF my
solution, and. in the event OF It's truth being
proved; prevent repetition Of such an epidemic.
In all the cases Of tetanus reported the primary
injury was caused by Fourth OF July accident;
the wound inflicted by another kind OF fire
works ana the greatest number by blank car
the wad composed mainly Of paper is carried into
the tissues; sometimes TO just beneath the skin, at
times to the depth of an Inch more This wad
is not always removed at once, and It will be
readily seen that any germs or baciilI that may
have been carried IN with the wad will come In
contact with the very best media for their growth
Taking these different facts Into consideration
THIS has suggested itself to me: Some one is
both. in locality where the soil and water are
impregnated with the bacilli tetani and In the
making OF these articles they in turn are rnpreg-
nated IN some manner, perhaps from the water, and
IN this manner the bacillus Is transmitted 10 many
iocahues Let me add that the bacillus OF tetanus
Is very resistant, and only the most extreme and
vigorous methods will destroy IT,
/ hope you will consider this solution worthy q,
your consideration and that you will do whatever
urers Of Fourth Of July goods @''' III" "iuiac'
Albany July 20 1909. WILLIAM c. LEVI