The Ocala Evening Star

PERNICIOUS PATRIOTISM

The president of the city board of health, abetted by the other physicians of Ocala, desires the Star to impress on the council the necessity of taking measures to insure a safe and sane fourth. The sentiment against the useless burning of gunpowder on the nation's natal day is steadily growing. It used to be almost a religious observance to elevate as much Sheol as possible on the fourth, and in spite of the many accidents every year, it did not occur to anybody to sum them up and compute the ghastly total. But about twenty years ago it occurred to one of our leading newspapers, in search of a feature, to sum up the number of fourth of July accidents as announced in the papers of the next day. The number proved to be greater than the number of Americans who were killed in the first battle of the Revolutionary war, and putting the proposition in this shape brought it home to the nation with a considerable shock. Since then, the practice of pernicious patriotism has been on the wane, but there is too much of it yet. The physician calling it to the Star's attention has himself treated six cases of tetanus, caused by fourth of July wounds. The fourth comes at the time of year when tetanus, which is one of the most deadly of diseases, is most likely to prevail. It is the greatest danger attendant on the fourth. Death outright or permanent disablement, or destruction of property are also attendant, and not to be disregarded, but they are less in proportion than the danger of tetanus, which may be caused by a slight wound and result in days of agony before death comes as a welcome relief. The Star advises that the council put the lid on some time next week, or rather spike the fourth of July gun.