New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-05
RUSH TO STOP LOCKJAW.
Tetanus Serum Administered to
Hundreds of Injured Persons.

Never in the history of the Independence cele-
bration in this city had there been such a great
demand for tetanus antitoxn there was yes
terday, when nearly four hundred persons in
greater New York were treated with the serum,
who had received injuries of some kind from pistol
shot wounds and the explosion of fireworks
Every hospital. dispensarv and private medical
institution in the city kept busy all day and
up late hour last night administering the serum
TO the victims of the glorious Fourth. The Health
Department had taken special precautions to see
that the hospitals had Il sufficient quantity hand
In addition to the hospitals the department. estab-
lshcd more than hundred stations for the
convenience of physicians in cases which required
immediate medical attention.
At Roosevelt Hospital there line Of chill
dren suffering with injuries, which kept tho sur
geOns busy all day They treated more than fifty
boys and girls. and In each case the tetanus anti
toxin was administered. The physicians at Belle
vue had their hands fun too and the serum
used in large quantities. Presbyterian, Harlem, St
Gregory's hospitals, and Lebanon, in The Bronx,
treated on an average Of twenty-five to thirty pa
tents
In Brooklyn the Bradford Street Hospital treated
twenty children, while in the Borough of Queens
ST. Johns and St Mary's hospitals We're crowded
all day The former administered the serum to
twenty-five children. and the latter to about the
same number.
Not counting the Health Department stations
private institutions or private physicians 1t is es-
tmated that more than three hundred persons
received antitoxn treatment
According the Health Department, the cases
treated by its inspectors and private physicians
estimated at from hundred to hundred and fifty
patients.
plicants with tetanus anttoxin. great number
of persons were treated at the Health Department.
at Sixth avenue and 55th street. Commissioner
Darlington had detailed number of inspectors on
special duty to attend the injured living near the
department.
Speaking of the distribution of the tetauus anti
toxin, medical inspector in the contagious disease
division said that, although the department had
given out unusual supply OF the serum. plenty
of II still on hand
We have enough to supply the whole city of
New York twice over" said the Inspector. "as
Commissioner Darlington had made every prepare
ton for rush Since the tetanus anttoNtn came
into use there have been very few deaths from
lockiaw. If physicians will only it immedi-
ately when person is injured, no matter how
serious his case may be the patient Will nine
times of ten get we'll Ovor one thousand
vials Of the tetanus antitoNn serum We're suppieu
to the various institutions last week The serum is
put up in small bottles Of twenty cubic cent?
metres one bottle OF the serum is Injected INTO
the patient. in a case Of powder burns and gun
shot wounds as n preventive of loCkjaw. When
II IS injected into the system II has the effect
upon the patient in preventing tetanus as dlph-
liberia anttoxin has 20 prevent diphtheria. the
serum IS made In different strengths under the
unit system.
In each twenty cubic centimetre vial there are
800 units in diluted strength while In the same
number OF cubic centimetres the strength -
doubled to 5000 units THIS IS only uSeh III cas-
where symptoms of tetanus have developed But IN
the of the latter a patients life Is rarely
saved"
At twenty hospitals in Manhattan there were
about 10 persons treated. In Brooklyn, Queens
ana Bronx horoughs. taking in eighteen hospitals,
II IS estimated that $50 men, women and children
received antitOxn treatment
The department. sent out circulars Throughout
greater New York Yesterday which were distrib-
ued I'm nearly every drug store and public building
The circulars gave full instructions 10 those in
jured by fireworks how and where TO obtain The
II was said NJ the Health Department last night
that more than ten thousand centmetres Of the
serum were administered to injured persons. or
i505 eco units Commissioner Darlington had his
inspectors tQ visit all the stations up 10 late hour
last night 10 II they had enough ot the ma
md