Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 271, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1916 — ITALIAN FINDS LOCKJAW CURE [ARTICLE]

ITALIAN FINDS LOCKJAW CURE

Professor Ingianni Invents Portable Bath for Hot Immersions. J GIVES SATISFACTORY RESULTS After Few Days Treatment the Wound Begins to Heal, Suppuration Disappears, Swelling Subsides and Fever Ceases. Headquarters of the Italian Army In the Field. —Surgec’ Major Professor Ingianni of the Italian medical corps, In charge of a field hospital, has applied on a large scale a special treatment for lockjaw which is giving most satisfactory results. The antitoxin treatment of lockjaw Is extensively used in the Italian army a 3 a preventive and, thanks to it, the cases of tetanus have been greatly diminished.

Naturally in field hospitals local conditions are such that it is impossible to resort to prolonged antiseptic bathing of the wounded or infected part, and the most effective remedy consisted in amputation. But even early amputation often proved of no avail when the germs in the wound already had set free a lethal dose of their toxin. Besides, even when amputation saved a man’s life it left him a cripple. Doctors Amputate Too Freely. Often for fear of infection surgeons in the field resort freely to amputation knowing full well that it would be impossible for them to keep the wound clean until it is completely healed. Professor Ingiannl instead is convinced that amputation should only be resorted to in extreme cases, as a doctor’s first duty is to cure, not to cripple a man. Prolonged warm bath of the wound is an almost infallible remedy against lockjaw, and nothing prevents its being administered even in the field under ordinary conditions. The professor has invented a special portable bath which can be folded, as It is made of rubber and shaped in- such a way that any limb can be immersed in IL The bath is then tied to the patient by means of bandages and placed in any position, either horizontal or vertical. Antiseptic Solution Is Used.

A warm antiseptic solution can be easily kept in it at the same temperature for five or six hours. As a rule a 3 per cent solution of hypochlorite is used or else corrosive sublimate in the proportion of one-half per 1,000. But permanganate of potassium, iodine or lead water also can be used to advantage. It has been found better to alternate the employment of these antiseptics. The results of this treatment are wonderful. After a few days the wound beigns to heal, suppuration disappears, swelling subsides and fever ceases. Recovery follows as a matter of course even in cases where amputation was considered the only remedy. The danger of lockjaw is entirely obviated.