indiana territory

VISIT TO AFTER HOURS CLINIC - MEETING DR. ENGLE

Summer stepped on a nail outside tonight and I took her over to the After Hours Clinic by Parkview. When I was a kid - a long time ago - a tetanus shot was only good for about a year. Now the interval is much longer, but since we weren't certain we took her in to be checked. FYI: today's tetanus shot's are good for 10 years.

Summer who was seen by Dr. Engle came home with an antibiotic.

When I was a kid growing up, my dad was always cautioning me to be careful around rusty nails, especially ones in barnyards. It turns out his ancestor cut his foot with an axe in Southern Indiana back in 1822 and died of lockjaw and the story had been passed down through the generations. Lockjaw was a terrible death and apparently it made quite an impression on the family.

John Roebling, who designed The Brooklyn Bridge, caught his foot between a pier and an incoming barge and contracted lockjaw, dying in agony in New York City. Roebling believed in what was called the "water cure" and eschewed any other medical advice. His body was racked with convulsions triggered by sound and the street beneath his window was covered with straw to muffle the sounds of horses' hooves. His son, Washington Roebling, went on to build the bridge.

As I remarked on the horrors of tetanus in the past, Dr. Engle interrupted to say, "Well, if you want a tetanus shot . . . " I guess he thought I was spooked by historical references . . . and didn't realize I am just an inveterate conversationalist.

On the other hand, when I got home I looked in the mirror to see if I looked as stupid as he seemed to think I was.

posted by Jody @ 8:42 PM