New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-25
PLAN TO CHECK TETANUS
Health Department to Supply
Serum for lOCkjaW.
SANE FOURTH PROBATION
Those Injured by Fireworks Will
Find Treatment Available
All Over City.

Everything points toward a sane Fourth
Of July. but Health Commissioner Lederle
will take no chances, ana expects to have
a large supply of tetanus anti-toxin on
hand to meet emergencies. lie issued an
order yesterday to have a sufficient supply
of 1t at the different Offices Of the depart
ment, and medical inspectors will he IN
readiness to respond to any calls made for
serum Injection.
Last year 500 Walls of the anti-toxin
were distributed among thirty-four hospi-
tails in the city, including thirteen in Man
haitian two in The Bronx, eleven I'm Brook
lyn, four In Queens and one IN Richmond.
The hospitals VIII be equipped with 1t this
year. DR.. Park, of the research laborato-
rlos Of the department. has enough tetsnus
anu-toNin on hand 10 meet the demand Of
the country. If that We're necessary.
There was little need for the big supply
Of serum available last year around the
Fourth. From July l to July there were
only five injections made, three of which
were in Brooklyn, one In Manhattan and
one in Richmond. From July 10 july IL
there were thirteen more injections made
a total Of eighteen the lowest for that
period of the year since the introduction of
that form Of treatment Brooklyn led with
total of tell. and Manhattan was nrA ..
with Il total of five.
The department viii send out to-day q
notice indicating the proper precautions to
be taken should person receive gum
shot or any other sort OF wound Tcta-
nus. or Iockjaw, according 10 the depart
ments notice. is CAUSED by the tetanus ba-
Cllus. This micro organism is commonly
found in street or garden dirt. AS II grows
only in the absence Of air infection does
not usually occur In cases OF open wounds,
out generally follows puncturcs or con-
tuslons Of tho skin, particularly 10y fire
works. cartridges, bullets. etc.
The wound should be rendered antiseptic
by cauterizatiOn or thorough cleansing,
which should bc followed Immediately 10y
an injection Of tetanus ant-toNin. The ad-
ministration Of the tetsnus anti-tuXin IL
never followed by any I'll effects. and, If
given at once. usually prevents the disease.
Commissioner Lcdcrle said that, follow
Ing the custom OF the last few years, the
department, ON request, would send a m,l.
cal inspector to administer the antl-tuNIn
and to keep the patient under observation.
The Commissioner urges the public to in
form the department OF all cases OF injury
occurring as the result OF USE OF rrcw OriIs
or pistols, so that this disease may be pre-
vented SO far as possible
Physicians can obtain the tetanus anti
toxin free of charge Tor those unable 10
pay for 1t.
There were IS cases of tetauus N the
United States ia 1911, as against - in lNlo
and 80 IN 1893 or the IS cases last year
10 resulted fatally. There were Al other
deaths as the result Of fireworks, being a
total OF o. deaths as result OF the cole
bration. which was the lowest number IN
nine years.
There were 100 non fatal injuries last
year, as compared with 500 or more In 1910
one OF the chief causes OF tetanuS. as mas
been shown by Investigation, Is the blank
cartridge. and tho site Of most OF the
wounds has been Oh the hands There were
l69 blank cartridge wounds noticed I'm 1911,
while I'm 1909 there We're 80 such wounds.
Active symptoms Of the disease appear IN
from live 70 rift,en days. characteristic
symptoms OF stiffness or spasins Of the
muscles Of the jaws may develop within a
few hours after the time OF injury. bat
usually 90 not appear until d week or ten
DAYS later. The treatment Of this disease Is
prophylactic-that IS. to prevent its onset