New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-13
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

or had learned of it only through the out
break of epidemic of necrosis. And
ye. IN one of the most modern and best
conducted factories records we're secured
of forty cases. of which fifteen resulted in
the loss of one or both jaws and several
ultimately in death
a TYPICAL Casa typical case. that
of Maria Nj, Wisconsin girl is one of
the many traced by DR.. Andrews. When
she was nineteen DR.. J. operated removing
one-half Of the lower jaw and the alveolar
process of the upper. 4 year and a quarter
later after having been treated at the
hospital in the interim. she was again oper-
ated on, more dead bone being removed.
Eleven months later she was again oper-
ated upon, this being the last of six oper-
atoms for necrosis but she never regained
her health. Speaking of Mr.. H., who had
both his upper and lower jaws removed, DR..
B. of Chicago, records that while on the
operating table he swallowed his tongue,
and in order to relieve imminent suffoca-
ton the surgeon cut opening in the
throat. With both upper and lower jaws
removed. and with the poison still continu
ing its dead work, this man lived month
after month, suffering untold agonies and
takinS only 0CCaSlOnal nOuTiSnffleHt
a tube. Those who have experienced the
fearful odor from advanced cases of phos-
phorous poisoning will understand the nat
ure of this mans condition. And these
are only two of numerous terrible cases In
which the details are given
THE REMEDY SIMPLE.-Other ma tons
have encountered no serious obstacles to
a., -, A
ment CT several years growth eliminated
in the convention of Berne. as result of
which the leading nations of Europe Joined
Il, treaty absolutely prohibiting the manu-
facture, importation or sale of matches
made from white phosphorus. Great Britain
long hesitated to become a party to this
convention. and attempted by stringent
legislation to control the evil without pro-
hhiting the use of this form of phosphorus.
but finally proved TO its own satisfaction
the impra cticability OF SO doing and en-
acted q statute which became effective only
the first of this year, which conforms to the
prohibitory legislation OF other European
countries With the use Of white phos-
phorus prohibited, harmless substitute,
known as sesquisulphide of phosphorus, IS
employed. and. SIS has been said, this in
creases the cost of production only per
cent.
THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY.-Of
course, such sweeping prohibition could not
be enacted under the Constitution of the
United States, but simple amendment to
the pure food and drugs act prohibiting the
importation and the transportation in inter
state commerce of matches containing
white phosphorus would accomplish the de-
sired end. In fact, many of the manu-
facturers in the United States would not
seriously oppose such legislation. provided it
applied equally to their competitors. Sew
eral of the states have already enacted
legislation prohibiting the employment in
the match industry of children under six
teen years of age. and there is little reason
to doubt that, could Congress be induced TO
give this evil the attention it deserves. the
states would soon follow the example of the
federal government. An earnest effort will
be made to induce the President to incor
porate in his next annual message recon-
mendation of such prohibitory legislation.
g. G. II.