New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-16
HEALTH BOARD READY
FOR 18th OF JULY GERMS
PREPARES Seven Gallons OF
TetanuS Antitoxin for
Jolly CeIebratOrS.
ENOUGH FOR 10000 CASES
Department Also to Send Out
Bulletins for Public's Infor-
nation on Dangers and
Treatment of Lockjaw.

With enough tetanus antitoXin on hand
TO meet the demands of the whole coun-
try If necessary. the Department OF
| Health is ready for any kind OF a celG-
bration that may be in store on the
glorious Fourth this year. However,
Health Commissioner Lederle is so OPP
timistic as to believe that there viii be
little need for the administration Of any
Of the anttOXin.
The research Laboratories of the de-
partment have manufactured in the last
three months about three times IS much
/ tetanus antitoxin as r. the same period
in 1912 There is now on hand in this
city thirty Hires Of it, as compared with
| ten litres last year Some idea or the
amount of antitoXin that il represents
can be realized when it is known that
I there are $50 doses i'm every litrc ana
I 500 units in each dose. In short. thee
| are l5,7j0OO0 units ready for the holi-
/ day if necessary.
! Not all this IL stored in the research
laboratories. \ good deal Of ~ IS on
hand in hospitals and dispensarios. Just
, before Independence Day Health Com
certain number OF hospitals I'm each bor-
ough are equipped with IL and that trea:-
mcnt can be had at different department
stations, as we'll as at the central Office.
Last year on the Fourth there was not
call for treatment AT any Of the de-
partment stations. as against six calls the
year previous. There were only twenty
hurt from all causes as compared with
one hundred on the Fourth in 1911.
The department will soon send out its
warning bulletin about the dangers of
tctanus The tetanus bacillus is the
cause OF tetauus or lockiaw This micro
organism is commonly found in stree;
or garden dirt. As 1t grows only when
shut away from the air. infection doea
not usually occur I'm cases OF open
wounds. but generally follows punctures
or COMMISSIONS Of the skin made by nails.
splintcrs and particularly exploded fire
works. cartridges or bullets. which per
NIT the growth OF germs I'm the deeper
tissues.
Tho characteristic symptoms are stiff
ness or spaSms of the muscles Of the
Jaws. These may develop I'm few hours
after the time OF injury, but usually not
| for week or ten days The treatment
| is entirely preventive The wound should
be cautcrized and thoroughly cleansed
and then treated with tctanus antitoNin.
( 80 IN effects are felt by persons who
take the injections. and If given at once
| they usually prevent the disease.
~ has been the custom OF the depart
ment TO send a medical inspector 10 adj
minister the antitoNin and 10 keep the
pa ticnt under observation. Physicians
are ablo 10 obtain II free OF charge for
such patients as are unable TO pay for IL.
only , cases of tctanus throughout
the whole country were reported as due
10 tho Fourth In 1912, AZ against IS IN
| 1911 There were 8 deaths from the dis
ease. while % others died from accidents
caused by various kinds Of fireworks, n
! total Of ~ deaths. l6 fewer than in
! 1911 and 90 fewer than ia 1910. and ~
below the mark made In 1909. New York
State had il5 casualties I'm 1912. as
against 237 I'm 1911 and S97 I'm 1909. I'm
I "A period of ten years 1t is estimated that a
| total Of 4o.ll1 persons were killed or III
jured in the celebration OF the Fourth
of July.