Re: “Dozens treated for fireworks injuries in Seattle; at least 1 patient loses hand” (July 8, Northwest):
My father was an eye fixed surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore beginning within the late Fifties, and my uncle was a hand surgeon at a unique Baltimore hospital (Union Memorial). Their careers spanned many years, and so they each lamented the risks of fireworks and the horrible harm fireworks may do to palms and eyes. They each mentioned that July 4th and fifth have been at all times the worst days of the 12 months for them.
Within the mid-Sixties, they went collectively to testify on the Maryland State Legislature, together with different docs, for stricter regulation and elevated security measures for the fireworks business. Their efforts have been profitable!
And although there have been nonetheless some fireworks accidents yearly from unlawful fireworks (as a result of these can at all times be discovered if somebody is set), I like to consider all of the tragedy they prevented by their efforts and the efforts of their colleagues to avoid wasting the imaginative and prescient and the 10-fingered palms of everybody celebrating what needs to be a cheerful and enjoyable vacation.
Edith Wolff, Seattle
