New-York tribune., 1908-09-21
FOURTH OF July TETANUS.

An extremely commendable investigation was
undertaken by The Journal Of the American
Medical Association" in 1903. 1t sought TO as
certain how many persons had developed tet-
anus in consequence Of injuries inflicted by toy
pistols and giant crackers at the Fourth of July
season. The good work has been continued
ever since. and in last weeks issue of the peri
odical statistics for 1908 were given. The in
Guirv has been conducted with great thorough
ness and though it is probable that in each
wear a few cases have been unrepOrted, 1t is
feasible to draw several definite conclusions
One is that there has been a remarkable dim
mutton In the havoc of Iockjaw induced by the
class of injuries here considered. In 1903 no
fewer than 415 cases occurred in the United
States This year only rs were reported. In
PENNSYLVANIA the decrease was from 81 to Z, IN
Ohio from 81 to Z, in Illinois from 40 to II, and
in New York from 36 to 8. The only exception
to the rule is afforded by New Jersey, which
had cases five years ago and 10 this year.
In the next place it is evident that the agita-
ton for reform started by '"The Journal of the
American Medical Association" and taken up
bv the Law press-"The Tribune" regards with
pride its own share in the work-has done great
good. Local restrictions on the sale and use or
the mischief makers which have been adopted
in a number of large cities unqueshonably ac-
count for much of the improvement in the situ'
alton In two places, St Paul and Detroit, adj
ditional measures were adopted to correct the
evil Provision was made for entertaining thou
sands of children in such a manner on the
Fourth that they would not be tempted to get
their fun from blank cartridges or giant
crackers 1t is noteworthy that in Michigan.
which reported IS cases five years ago. only ,
occurred this year, and, "Mnnesotas score
dropped from % to 0! Here is encouragement
for the plan of reinforcing restriction with
wholesome diversion.
That as many as 76 cases should go on record
this year, however, is discreditable to American
civilization. The campaign has not been car
ried far enough. Indeed its beneficial influence
has ceased to be conspicuous. In 1908 there
was a trihing advance Of over the returns for
1907. Moreover, 50, or more than two-thirds,
OF this years cases terminated fatally.
With view to minimizing the harm resulting
from injuries on or before the Fourth this year,
boards of health in various cities and states
manufactured or procured for public use sup
plies of anti-tetanus serum. There seems to be
no way of determining how extensively advan-
tage was taken of the precaution. If the rem
edv was administered only after alarming
symptoms appeared, the treatment might have
come too late. If, on the other hand, ii was
employed promptly after wound was inflicted,
II might have saved life. Unfortunately, par
ents often neglect to call in a, physician when
q mere bandage seems to them to be the only
requisite Between tetanus and rabies there Is
fairly close resemblance In this particular
the disease can be fought more effectively if
treatment begins Immediately after the injury
than If it is deferred several days. Perhaps
THE Journal of the American Medical Associa-
tion' may deem 1t worth while another year TO
inquire in how many instances serum was thus
used. In the mean time it may safely be as
sumed that the policy OF the health boards was