Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-14
Independence Day Reform.

| Eight more deaths from iockjaw were re-
ported in New York and its immediate VI
cinity yesterday, making a total of twenty
deaths from this cause near the metropolis
since Independence day. Other victims of
the toy pistol and the giant cracker and
other explosives which have sent tetanus
germs into their systems are now in hos
pitfalls, with slight chances for recovery.
Some attempt is being made to introduce
the new serum treatment for this disease.
; but as yet without assurance of even a fair
measure of success. The epidemic of te-
tanus is giving more point than ever to the
demand for a more rational mode of cele-
brating the nations anniversary which is
aroused each year by the disastrous expert
ences on the Fourth of July. 1t is thus
realized that not alone in the immediate
death and accident roll of the next day is
the damage to be recorded The list OF
damages trails along for days and weeks
after the smoke of the so-called celebration
has rolled away. The primary cause of
these tetanus cases seems to be the tnf1ic-
ton of insignificant wounds by toy pistols.
These tiny swapping devices explode paper
caps composed of some Illuminating sub
stance. ordinarily with mercury base.
Some of these Eliminates contain poisonous
ingredients. which. entering small pune
lures of the skin. cause irritation and often
make greatly inflamed wounds If into such
a wound a tetanus germ should chance to
be introduced the result Is almost invari-
ably the disease commonly known as lock-
jaw. The germs of this disease are mys-
teriously frequent in certain localities and
are little understood by psychologists.
The great danger is that the wounds caused
by the little pistols are apparently so in
significant at he tjYDa that they
garded seriously. for they heal quickly, thus
leaving the poisons to themselves to work
out their malevolent functions. A theory
has been advanced that the powder used in
blank cartridges contains the germs. This
| is difficult to accept in view of the intense
heat which is produced in the discharge
of the pistol gun. which should be suf-
fcent to kill all archaeological life con-
tanned in the charge. But the issue in the
case is not as to the cause of tetanus, or
its character. but the practicability of eff
forts to reduce the dangers attending the
foolish custom of celebrating" Independ-
ence day in the barbaric and senseless man.
ner which has developed in recent years to
an insufferabie degree. Here in Washing
ton it is proposed to secure a law or a po-
lice regulation limiting the size of the giant
frecrackers. In some other communities
1t is proposed to prohibit the manufacture
and sale of toy pistols. Elsewhere it Is
suggested that it should be pronounced
misdemeanor to detonate certain forms Of
explosives in any shape. 1t is apparent
that whatever remedy Is sought its en-
forcement will be attended with the great
est difficulties. The habit of considering
July as day of license, to be devoted to
the production of dangerous noises, has be-
come firmly rooted and 1t will require the
most strenuous efforts and the most strin-
gent laws to uproot it. even though they are
directed chiefly in behalf of the safety Of
the foolish participants in this annual riot
of sound.