New-York tribune., 1906-07-08
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.
Brookl3nites Escape Usual HeaUy
PenaEtg of the Fourth.

Wednesday was the quietest Fourth Of July
known 20 the police and hremen OF the borough
within a generation. Although the rain in the
morning had something 20 do with reducing the
Yst of injured and the record Of fires, it is esti-
mated that the quantity Of fireworks set off
was considerably larger than ever before. Some
people think that the fireworks were handled
mora carefully than usual. That may be so. as
the rain seemed to have kept at home an un-
usually large number of fathers and big
brothers who did not appear loath TO undertake
q supervision Of the explosions.
The physicians were unusually well prepared
10 care for victims. It is said that at least sew
enty vials OF antitOxin for the prevention OF
tetanus, were turned over 70 the hospitals by the
local branch OF the Health Department The
antitoxin is prepared IN the laboratory OF the
department IN 18th street. Manhattan. The
reason for the distribution Of so large a guam
fity of the serum is that Brooklyn, as is the
case with many other sections Of Long Island
Is one Of those unfortunate localities where
tetanus germs abound in particularly large
numbers. DR.. Studdiford, the general medical
examiner of the Health Department. says that
one reason for the presence of the germs is that
there were many fertilizer factories in
Brooklyn. where fish bones were used In large
quantities. The decayed fish bones in the soil
make Il particularly suited for the tetanus bac-
terra The sntitoxin is always kept at the
branches OF the department for use by phy-si-
clans.
It has not proved much of success as a cure
for loekjaw, but IT is an excellent preventive.
As the disease does not appear until day or
two after the wound is received it is difficult
for physicians 20 tell when it threatens the pa
dent Il IS said that it will never occur il the
wound Is kept open. AS the germs get into the
wound with dirt, they are washed out or killed
by the oxygen IN the air when the wound is kept
clean and open. The antitoxin is injected like
diphther1a antttoxin. 1t is made from horse
blood, and must be kept at a temperature under
40 degrees from the time IT is made until II is
INJECTED into the patients blood
A great number OF young people were much
surprised on Wednesday 10 find themselves
aInder arrest for the use Of pistols about the
streets The law restricts their use on the
Fourth OF July Just the same as on other days
While the Legislature has sanctioned the use Of
certain explosives. IL has refused to sanction the
use OF firearms and with good reason. While
''blenk" cartridges make big noise. they oc-
casiOnally turn out to be loaded with bullets
after they have been discharged. Worse than
that the police say that thugs and criminals
have taken advantage OF the celebrations 20
gnisdeeds, they have the plausible excuse that
they discharged ball cartridges instead Of blank
ones by accident Wednesday two Brooklynites
suffered through the disregard of the law against
fhe use OF revolvers.
1t seems scarcely conceivable that any one
could forget the Fourth OF July, yet even that
IS possible On the evening OF the Fourth, in a
trolley car the writer sat near q young couple
who were evidently returning from an invasion
Of Chinatown, 70 Judge from their possessions.
In the course OF the ride the young woman
handed her escort a gayly decorated paper nap
iin, and said
I wish that you would writs your name on
this. I want 20 keep it msmento Of our
srip."
The man got out his lead pencil and began to
write.
"oh. you had better write the date on it, too"
added the girl. If the date is on IT, I will re-
member the exact occasion Let me see. what
IS the date. anyway
She screwed up her face in a puzzled manner
It's funny, can't think what the date is %
she exclaimed. Il don't remember the dates OF
ordinary days half the time, but I generaIlv So
know when the holidays are due"
For heavens sal1e!" her compafon cried
when he had recovered. ARE you losing your
mind! This is the Fourth Of July"
"Oh, so IL is"
We'll. try not to forget it next year