Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-08
DEATH DEALING TOY.
Pistol, Gaps, ana the Germs They
81 Developed, Causing the Death
Of Bonnie Brown.

IN the hand with one Of the deadly. toy
pistols. Nine days later he died. For
sixteen hours imne diate1y preceding
death the victon1 was In commissions,
After the Negroes death DR.. Baughnan
undertook the experiment OF developing
the tetanus germ.
Explained process to the reporter. he
exhibited the pistol which caused the
death of the boy, and is, a type Of the
weapon which has brought about at
least score OF fatalities in Vir-
ginia since Christmas It IS Of the
bulldog pattern two-thirds size OF
the real bulldog revolver. and admits
into the chamber a blank cartridge Of
about 22-calibre and half an inch in
length. This cartridge is loaded with a
small quantity Of ordinary black powder,
and the wadding consists of tightly
packed paper. s
AT THE BEGINNING.
Proceeding with the experiment, DR..
Baughman took culture from the cart
ridge in the following manner: "A small
piece Of the wadding was placed in a
tube of beef tea. Some Of the powder
was put in a similar tube. A sterile
swab was introduced in the barrel Of the
pistol and rubbed about the breech and
this swab was dropped intoHa tube OF
beef tea. Then piece Of flesh from the
wound in the dead boys hand was se-
cured and deposited in the fourth tube
Of tea.
These cultures were Immediately placed
into 2 a close jar (novys), into winch
hydrogen was introduced through a tube
connected with a smaller vessel.
The cultures are still In process OF de-
veIopment After. a growth Of germs
has been noticed In the culture tubes,
they will be exposed to a steam bath OF
100 degrees centigrade. The effect Of this
bath will be to exterminate all other
germs save the tetanus germs, whose
hardihood and tenacity Of life will thus
be illustrated.
FORM OF THE GERM.
A pure culture will now be found by
placing a drop of the tea under the
microscope. a long club or pin-shaped
germ will be disclosed. It will have a
very slight, but nevertheless perceptible.
power of voluntary motion. The head"
of the club is formed by the presence
of q spoCr, or egg. which, of course,
breeds other tetanus germs.
2 Illustrating the germs tenacity Of life,
the doctor mentioned the case OF a boy
who had died OF lockjaw brought on by a
splinter wound. The body was after
wards exhumed and the germ was found
to be still alive after seven years.
DO NoTSExIST IN THE AIR.
These germs cannot exist in the air.
said DR.. Baughman, "and infection from
the atmosphere is thus excluded. 1nfec-
ton must come from the place of growth,
principally in the earth, at depth which
precludes the entrance OF oxygen. The
tetanus germs are found not only in gar
den earth. but In The manure matter OF
llerbiverous animals, such rs the horse
and COW. Consequently, these germs are
more apt to be found ii gardens. barn
yards and stables.
In a few days the germs under cult
walton a { the Medical College of Virginia
Will be fully grown, and then an injec-
ton will be made into some animal,
probably a mouse, to make sure that
these are tetenus germs.
DIR. TAYLOR'S OPINION.
In the opinion of DR.. William H. Taylor
Coroner Of Richmond, lockjaw cannot,
tracted from one afflicted with the disease
IA person may freely visit q. lockjaW
patient without fear said DR.. Taylor to.
day ''Lockjaw is not a contagious dis
case. It cannot be contracted by inha-
iation.
However, it is a disputed question
among Very learned physicians as "a
whether tetanus germs Hoat In the air.
If the contention OF those who So affirm
is correct, then it might be possible for
q person having an exposed wound-for
instance, a wound on the hand-to con-
tract the disease IN the: presence of a
lockjaw pa tent, or In environments where
the:germs might exist:
"But I have never heard Of such a
case, concluded ,.4p coroner, who is In.
clined to doubt the theory of germs-in.
the-air.