Show I I I I DEATHS FROM LOCKJAW T IS estimated e that not tar far from IT 1 deaths have been caused In the United Status States by resulting front from blank cartridge wounds received by boys and th rs on oa the Fourth of July in the state of ot Pennsylvania I alone with the tho statistics incomplete II deaths from lockjaw since I Independence day have b been en reported The matter motter has hu aroused so much at attention attention attention that prosecutions pro are to be bo In Instituted against dealers who sold blank lank cartridges and weapons with which to discharge dl them to boys hoys These actions will be under a state law which prohibits the sale of oC explosives explosives elves tb tt minors A great many states have such laws but they are gener generally generally ener ally aU disregarded especially when the celebration of ot the nations birthday an anniversary r is Js near at hand The rate at which the epidemics of lockjaw arc are increasing however is 18 calculated to interest the authorities in this matter If there is 18 no other method by which the careless use of explosives by boys can be prevented It should be made impossible for the tho youngsters to purchase them Lockjaw Is one of the most mat fatal dis US diseases diseases eases known to medical science It I I can cnn be prevented in many cases es but It cannot be cured after it has once secured a IL hold upon the system stem of the patient Careful treatment of wounds likely to cause lockjaw accompanied I by the use of tetanus antitoxin pre prevents prevents preVents vents th disease from Crom gaining a toot foot foothold hold The trouble is la that one can never tell when hen the tetanus germ lies hItS se so secured cured lodgment t in the system Wounds caused by blank cartridges do d net Invariably cause lockjaw If Ir they did the list of fatalities on the Fourth of July and during the few weeKs immediately following it would be appalling app The rusty ruty na l wound in inthe Inthe Inthe the foot toot or In the palm of oC the hand handas was as once considered n an almost sur surI breeder of oC lockjaw but It by no means meana follows 8 now that the boy bo who sticks a a nail into his foot toot must die of oC that terrible disease On the other hand band wounds of or the most trifling nature such as s slight powder burns a small wood splinter an abrasion of or the skin by a piece of ot glass or tin Un or zinc or cr brass have caused deaths from lockjaw So there Is Ig I no knowing anything surely sure about the matter m We do know however that the most dangerous wounds so far faras faras faras as the possibilities pos of or lockjaw w are arc con concerned come from toy pistols Every state should have laws prohibiting their sale BaJe |