Evening star., 1912-09-07
FATALITIES Of FOURTH
ARE GREATLY REDUCED
Marked Decrease in Number
of Deaths Due to Safe
and Sane Idea.

CHICAGO, September marked re-
ductiOn in the number of deaths and in
juries from exploding firecrackers, fire.
works and blank cartridges used on the
Fourth of July, as result of the rapid
growth Of the "safe and sane" propogan-
da. is shown by tables from all parts Of
the United States published in the Jour-
nal of the American Medical Association
Lockjaw, which usually counts its
Fourth of July victims by the hundreds.
only claimed seven this year, and Of that
number, six died. A striking illustration
of the danger from blank cartridges is
shown by the fact that each of the seven
cases of tetanus that developed into lock-
jaw can be directly traced to this source.
The number of fatalities and injuries
reported in all states is much less than in
former years.
Deaths Reduced to Forty-one.
Death claimed forty-one this year.
which is sixteen less than in 1911, ninety
less than in 1910 and ia less than in
1909. Although sparklers and very small
firecrackers are called harmless. a study
OF the table of deaths showed that they
claimed eight victims this year and that
the majority of them were little girls.
Due to the education of the public how
to treat Fourth of July injuries, the
death percentage is very low when 1t is
borne in mind that there were 9SS casual
ties reported
In discussing the 1912 Fourth of July
celebration editorially, the medical jour-
nal says:
Fire Departments Idle.
Instead Of having q continuous strug-
gle of from twenty-four to seventy two
hours against disastrous fires caused by
the discharge of fireworks, this year the
fire departments of our large cities, with
a few exceptions. were virtually idle. The
forcing into bankruptcy Of a few large
fireworks factories in the last two or
three years has been more than offset by
the enormously increased sale of flags,
bunting, banners and decorations.
Besides their immediate effect In saw
ing lives. preventing needless tortures
and injuries, and increasing the enjoy
ment of the day by the new form OF cele-
bration. these changes have much
wider. more important and lasting sig
nificance. Whereas the old methods en-
couraged lawlessness. disorder, noise and
selfish disregard OF human H1e ano
comfort, the new methods OF celebrating
Independence day present an annually
recurring opportunity to develop In the
youth of our land ideas of national and
civic righteousness and love of law and
order.
Holds Authorities Responsible.
Even though the totals are smaller
than in previous years, the picture OF
these bright. active. sweet-faced children.
who, but for the criminal negligence of
city authorities. would still be among the
living. is just as pitiful as ever. Cannot
the authorities in all our cities and
towns--and they are the ones who have
the authority and therefore the respon-
sibility in this matter-adopt and enforce
effective measures so that following no
celebrations hereafter will any doors bear
Grape or any hearts needless sorrows as
a consequence of accidents SO easily pre-
vented? May not the next seven or eight
months see SO general an adoption OF
measures prohibiting fireworks that this
national disgrace will be a thing OF the
past?
The following table shows the number
of tetanus cases and blank cartridge In
juries for the last ten years: