The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-08-20
LocKJAw
From State, Dept. of Health.

scientific nam6-lS one OF the
diseases that has become a matter
of increasing concern to health
departments all over the United
States. In Maryland, the records of
the State Department of Health
show that twice as many cases
were reported to the State Bureau
of Communicable Diseases in 1925
as in 1923. The number of cases
that were reported and the number
of deaths each year for the last
three years follow:
Cases of Tetanus and deaths in
Baltimore City, in 1924 cases,
8 deaths; 1924 cases, 9 deaths;
1925-14 cases, IL deaths.
Cases and deaths in counties of
Maryland, in 1923-18 cases, IL
deaths; 1924-16 cases, IL deaths;
1925-27 cases, Is deaths.
Total of cases and deaths in
1882 cases; "a deaths; 1924
20 cases, 20 deaths; 1s25-k41 cases.
"a deaths.
Referring to the increase in the
disease, DR.. R. H. Riley, Chief OF
the State Bureau of Communicable
Diseases. said, For a long time we
associated lockjaw with Fourth of
July accidents or gunshot wounds,
but with the constantly growing
number of automobile accidents and
other accidents which result in deep
seated wounds in which dirt or
other solid particles have been
crushed into the flesh, there has
been a steady increase in the cases
of slockjaw that have been reported.
"Tetanus is caused by spore
bearing germ, found wherever the
SON has been cultivated. The spores
remain inactive until crushed into a
wound when they Immediately get
busy and throw off the poison which
damages the central nervous system
of the victim and causes the agoniz-
ing stiffness of the neck and or the
lower jaw which has given the
disease the name by which it is
commonly called-lockjaw T
poison generated by germ of that
sort is called toxin. AS result
of the work and discoveries OF the
laboratory men-one of them, DR..
Kitasato, Japanese, by the way
"a serum, called an anti-toxin, that
will counteract the tetanus poison,
if used in time, is available.
"Tetanus anti-toxin was used to a
somewhat limited extent before the
World War, but it's use was greatly
extended during the war, preventing
untold suffering. At the same time,
the methods of preparation and Of
administration were greatly i'm
proved so that now a supply may be
obtained whenever needed, just as
can be done for case OF d1ph-
iberia anothert. disease in which g
toxin or poison is distributed
throughout the system. The State
Department of Health will furnish a
supply of the tetanus anti-toxin, to
physicians, at cost, as needed,
either through the local or the
Deputy State Health Officer.
Prompt administration of the
tetanus anti-toxin, as soon as the
accident occurs, is necessary if life
is to be saved. 1t takes from six
to fifteen days for the symptoms of
|lockjaw to develop. The more
severe cases develop within the six
days, and by that time it is usually
too late to counterfeit the effect of
the poison. The milder cases de-
velop later, and give more hope OF q
favorable outcome.
"Lockjaw may result from pune
turing the skin with a nail or some
sharp implement, or even with
splinter, as we'll as from wounds of
other sorts. The size of the wound
has nothing to do with the disastrous
effect of the germ. And the rust
in nail is not of necessity,
dangerous-it is the tetanus germs
that are forced in through the flesh
with the rust that do the damage.
ANY dllIy WOuho A1oeISA
how it occurs, should first be opened
and thoroughly and surgically clean
ed, and for cleansing of that sort
you need the services of a doctor.
If there is the slightest doubt as to
the character of the wound, the
doctor will administer the tetanus
anti-toXin. Small doses-what are
known as preventive doses-will be
effective in most cases, if admin
istered promptly. Very heavy doses
have to be used if the symptoms
have set in and even then it may be
too late to help. Physicians who
wish information in regard to the
quantities available may obtain it
by writing to the State Department
of Health, 16 w. Saratoga Street,
Baltimore.
-O-