The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-07-04
CELEBRATE. BUT BE CAREFUL.

I ~ a DE- AlhAhlsA H.
This is the day above all others the
American people celebrate. The les
son OF patriotism taught by the faith
ers Of the republic when they signed
the Declaration Of Independence has
not been forgotten. and the anniver-
sary will never be allowed to pass I'M
noticed until all things earthly pass
away.
So let us be merry upon this Fourth
Of July and at the same time renew
the VOW Of the revolutionary patriots
that this country shall ever remain
free and Independent
But in our celebration let US be
careful Of life and limb and see to #
that no untoward accident mars the
recurrence Of the day that should
bring joy to all hearts.
Without wishing to cast a damper
upon the Joy and festivities Of the oc-
casion, The Herald-RepubIcan de-
sires to call attention to what has hap
pened heretofore.
According to statistics gathered by
the American Medical association, the
total accidents incident to the cele-
braGon OF the Fourth Of July last
year were 5,S07, and only the most
serious accidents were chronicled at
that
The accidents reported were all Sc
rious enough TO call for medical al
tention. those not requiring such at
fanffon or -.sr~es ,,.a r-~-,,..s-.-- a.
the statistics of the association. Large
las was this number. it was a falling
off OF 316 from the previous year.
The record of the deaths from
blank cartridge wounds. which made
up almost the whole OF the deaths
from tetanus or IocSjaw. was $50.
This was nearly twice as many as the
previous year. But it was only keep
ing up the average. for the deaths
from this cause in seven years were
794. Ten per cent Of the cases Of te-
Janus were fatal. a higher mortality
than that in gunshot wounds.
The giant cracker was responsible
for more accidents. but fewer deaths,
than the blank cartridge pistol It
produced 1,614 surgical cases and
seven deaths, all Of these being from
tetanus.
The association remarks that If It is
any satisfaction to know IT, the giant
cracker wounds do not produce nearly
so much tetanus as the blank car
tridges. It is thought that it is be-
cause the wound is more snowy. bleeds
more freely and is more often taken
at once for surgical treatment.
There were sixteen cases Of total
blindness resulting from the celebra-
ton last year, and three. cases Of total
cremation.
From other sources it is learned
that in the celebration Of seven
Fourths Of July. from 1903 to 1909.
inclusive. the killed and wounded
numbered 34.603. The killed were
1881. That IS, more men. women and
children were killed on the last seven
Fourths Of July than were killed and
wounded in the seven principal battles
Of the revolutionary war.
Il is the duty Of parents. as well as
public officials, TO prevent this annual
loss Of life and manning of thousands /
The toy pistol is the most deadly OF
an human coutrivances that can be
put into tine hands Of the young /
knowing that its use may result in |
death I'm one Of its most horrible /
forms. parents and guardians should |
not allow its purchase. and the sale /
and manufacture should be prohibited |
by law.
Tonight the gathering Of the NOR /
tuary statistics of the Fourth of July. I
1910. will begin. Let US hope thai /
salt Lake viii not be called upon to /
urnish a list Of killed and wounded. /