Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1901 — ELEVEN DIE FROM LOCKJAW. [ARTICLE]

ELEVEN DIE FROM LOCKJAW.

Alarming St. Louie Death List from hnvemoned Antitoxin. Eleven children of St. Louis, treated with antitoxin for diphtheria, are dead, and nine others are seriously ill of lockjaw, caused, it is said, by an infection of the serum with tetanus germs. The serum which is thought to have been the cause of the deaths was made Aug. 24. The horse from which the blood wus drawn to prepare the remedy had been used for the same purpose for the last two years. The animal was regarded at that time as perfectly healthy, and the serum was carefully tested on guinea pigs in the usual manner. This product was distributed about Sept. 10. Sept. 22 the same horse was again inoculated preparatory to making another lot, and Sept. 30 he was hied. The next day he exhibited symptoms of tetanus, and two days later was killed. None of the serum made after the inoculation of Sept. 22 was used. In the light of events that followed, however, it is thought that tha horse was infected with germs of the disease previous to Aug. 24. Scientific men who have favored the nse of antitoxin in diphtheria cases assert that the deaths were caused by an infection of the serum. Others have discouraged inoculation with antitoxin for any purpose are ready to condemn the practice and assert that a like condition of affairs is likely to arise at any time if the remedy Is commonly used as at present. The city of St. Louis began making antitoxin in 1895, and 2,347 cases have been treated. There have been 200 deaths in cases where it was used. This la considered a good record, and enough td sustain those that advocate the nae of the treatment.