Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-07-13
DAVENPORT,
Death From Lock Jaw as a Result of
Fourth of.July Injury.

Si Fourth Ofyuly Injury.
The death OF Thomas Meltesen, in his
18th year, at Mercy hospital Tuesday
evening, was the first of our Fourth OF
July casualties to result fatally, says
the Democrat. The life of this bright
and promising youth went out, in fact,
as the result of an accident SO appar-
entity inconsequential at the time of its
occurrence as to escape schronicling for
several days after 1t occurred. His ex-
perience, which resulted SO sadly. is a
notable Illustration Of the insldious
way that an apparently slight injury
may lay the foundation for trouble
which, when it once develops, runs its
course with d rapidity that defies the
efforts OF surgeon and physician. and
.halts only when life itself has yielded
to it.
Young Meltesen, it seems. was in
jured in the palm of the left hand by.
the discharge of blank cartridge
from revolver In his right hand He
had pulled the trigger of the weapon
While under the impression that all the
cartridges 1t contained had been ex-
ploded. Being on his way to scheutzen
park, he stopped at the residence of Dr.
Boes and had the hand dressed. There
was small hole in the hand about the
size of the cartridge wad, which had
made 1t. With his hand fixed up.
Meltesen went on to the picnic grounds
and his hand was practically forgotten
about for the rest of the day and both
cred him little thereafter.
On the fifth Tom showed his hand to
DIR. Hageboeck and had it dressed
again. and continued to do so until
Sunday. 1t did not pain or bother him
and was apparently making nice prog
ress in healing and neither the young
man or his family thought it would be
heard from again. But on Monday, the
9th inst, while at dinner, Tom COM
planned Of slight stiffness in his neck
and soreness in his Jaws. The family
sent for DR.. Hageboeck, who found
Tom laughing and chatting in the sit
ting room. He was inclined to make
ligAt Of his troubles. but to the physl-
clan the symptoms were grave. He
directed the young man to be taken out
to Mercy hospital at once.
There the boy sat about the house
and grounds until 3 p. M. his friends
going out to see him. and he talking
and visiting with them. suffering no
trouble except in turning his head. He
ate and swallowed as usual with ease.
About $3.50 p. m. Monday he had the
first real spasms Of tenanus. the mus
cles Of his back contracting for pe.Iha pr
forty seconds, pulling his head back
| When it was over he felt so we'll tina,
on the arrival OF the physician. who
had been sent for. he was inclined tc
| view the concern that was shown BY
him as something ridiculous.
His good nights rest thereafter
might have led one who was ignorant
OF the symptoms and dangers OF teta-
nous to have agreed with him. 1t was
/ not until Thursday morning, after
O'clock, that he had his second spasm
Lasting half an hour. The contracting
muscles drew his head back until hi!
4 body formed half-circle, rigid enough
so that his entire body could be raised
i by lifting his feet. There were the Sc
jaws. distinctive Of tentanus. Later il
/ the day the condition became continu
GUS but with all this the patient never
! lost consciousness and was able to say
tho scarcely opening his lips. that h,
was not suffering pain. Death relieved
him and broke the strain upon the low
Ing relatives by his bedside at 1913
Tuesday evening, about thirty i,
house after the first suggestion Of hi
i trouble developed.