T T Football Unduly Blamed for Fatalities During Past Season I Ii i Moleskin Sport Responsible for 22 of 43 Deaths Fielding H. H Yost Makes MakeE Survey for Committee on Grid Rules B By Merle Oliver Associated Press Staff Writer ANN ARBOR Mich Feb 11 ll-An ll An I investigation conducted by Fielding H H. Yost athletic director at University University sity of Michigan has disclosed that tha ii of 43 deaths charged against football last fall only 22 actually I from the game Yost investigated each death an and has submitted a report to E. E K Hall Hal chairman of the football rules com corr committee committee for its meeting at Hanover N H. H which opens Friday Of the 21 reported deaths which Mr Yost believes should not b be charged to lo football two were cause caused by pneumonia one by infantile infantil C paralysis one by kidney disease on onby one by appendicitis one by typhoid fever six by Infections and one one by heart hear disease One boy was injured while C wrestling another was struck by a truck One boy was found alive and an well and another who was reported 1 dead was found never to have ex- ex isted SEVEN COLLEGIANS The 22 who died following actual I participation in football games were C classified as seven college players seven from high schools and eight t sandlot or unorganized players Causes of death were given gien as follows follows fol fol- follows lows Fracture of cervical vertebrae eight cerebral hemorrhage four peritonitis four coronary embolism fracture of skull ruptured spleen concussion of brain one each Two Tw 0 deaths were from unknown causes It is proper the report says that thai football should be cleared of the responsibility re re- for the deaths improperly erly charged against it At the same time it is also fitting filling that football take stock of itself to see what risks may maybe maybe maybe be eliminated and what safeguards may be raised to prevent death Inthe in inthe the near future Yost drew the following conclusions conclusions from the stud study 1 That the number of fatal injuries in in- juries is in inverse proportion to the degree of coaching training and med med- ical supervision exercised 2 That apparently it is more dangerous to play on the defense than on the offense 3 That the most frequent cause cof of death is fracture of cervical verte verte- brae brac 4 That fatal injuries occur prin prin- as the result of players being struck on neck head or abdomen by bythe the he hard fiber thigh guards 1 IMMEDIATE ATTENTION 5 That minor injuries cuts scratches etc elc should receive immediate im- im mediate attention especially to lo pre pre- vent infections The investigation showed that 12 players ers were injured fatally while playing on the defense Seven were injured on the offense oense and in three cases time of the injury was un- un known cnown own Only one report of or a football death suggested that roughness was a con con- cause of or injury Yost offers four suggestions tomake tomake to make the game safer All equipment should be designed not only for the protection of the wearer but also with consideration for the safety of the opponent Players should be impressed with the great importance of paying im immediate mediate attention to lo cuts culs scratches I abrasions and other avenues of tion lion Great attention should be paid by officials to improper use of knees and hands Officials who will penalize unnecessary unnecessary essar essary roughness I