Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-04
Deaths n Virginia FIRM
t.nrki VI for 1922

Richmond, Va. Jan.~3 The certifi-
cate of death OF an aged man who was
knocked down by boy on a bicycle
and who arose and went his way appar-
emily unburt, except for slight wound
on the ear probably received from con-
tact with the street, is contained in the
reports of last October TO the State
Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Perhaps neither the aged pedestrian
nor anyone else thought the wound of
any consequence, comments DIR. w.
A. Picker State Registrar, and per-
haps no physician was consulted
promptly and no special measures as
to cleansing and sterilizing adopted
until too late.
Imagine the CONSERVATION fthe man
and his family when, in few days. he
found the muscles of his jaws contract
| ing and the beginning of twitching and
spasm of other muscles of his body.
When this condition had developed
he had passed the time when the dread
disease tetanus might have been
prevented, and the best efforts of the
most skillful physicians were now un-
availing.
| This case is illustrative of the AZ
deaths which occurred in Virginia dur.
ling 1922 from infection by tetanus
Igerms.
This one is specially mentioned be
cause it is so characteristic of many
lothers, which have occurred in thu
lpast and which win occur in the future
the prevention of which is possible.
II 1t is now well known fact tina
, horses and perhaps other animals ar
/ frequent carriers of the tetanus bacill
which pass away with the bowel dis
charges.
i That is why this man was in specia
' danger when his slight wound came i
, contact with the soil of the street, an
why all persons who receive even mer
scratches, as from stepping on tn
point of nail, are in danger, if ther
is possibility of contamination wit
soil in which animal manure has bee
: mixed, says DR.. w. A. 'Plecker.
n Another even sadder feature
r these AZ deaths is that II of them wei
S infants under one month of age, ar
lprobably due to the carelessness
d lothers.
IL These received their infection
h perhaps every case through carele
r, and dirty methods of dressing the cor
lei Midwives are warned of the dang
and are furnished sterile dressings
|. the State Health Department at
| nominal cost. But still these deaf
occur and will continue to occur un
not only the midwives but the publ
~ are instructed as to the necessity f
: absolute cleanliness in every detail
the lying-in room.
All wounds, no matter how sligl
!. should be Immediately cleansed a
u treated with an efficient antiseptic.
:, The old fashioned remedy, turpe
~ tine, is good one on small fire
" wounds, but there is no simpler II
IN more efficient one than tincture
u iodine. A small vial of iodine, W
Is glass or rubber stopper, should be
every home, and every member of
st family taught to paint it over even
slightest wounds at the earliest possil
MT moment after receipt of injury.
j.. Puncture wounds from nails may
wiped out with iodine or turpentine
. la bit of absorbent AA.'~-- -----rr-a =
I'd Itooth-pick, or something of the kir
#. but if the nail was dirty and there
slany doubt about reaching to the bott'
!, lof the wound, then it should be {
- larged and thoroughly cieansed a
painted.
The safest procedure, however,
~ also to have tetanus antitoxin
$ ministered, if there is any doubt at ;
10 This is effective, if used early, but
{ of little value after the diseases {
velops.
es Another frequent occasion of des
as from minor cause in bloodpoison,
es septicaemia, resulting from the picki
n of pimples OF the face. These victi
lie are among mostly girls and you
women. We should remember Il
al no wound is so slight that it cannot
~ the channel through which the e,
a lpresent germs of inflammation, if 4
Iof tetanus, may find entrance.