The Fatal Nail: A Tragedy in San Juan Valley

Mr. Englebert J. Bailer, age 25 years, 9 months and 15 days, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Bailer, of San Juan valley, died here on Sunday last at about 10 o'clock a. m., from the effects of blood poisoning, caused from a wound received in the ball of the foot some two weeks ago. Two weeks ago Tuesday while at work at his home tearing off some lath, preparatory to making a few repairs to the house, deceased jumped down from the scaffold upon which he was at work, and in doing so run a lath nail through his shoe and into the ball of his right foot. For two or three days he hobbled about but paid no particular attention to the wound, thinking it nothing at all serious. The foot gradually grew worse, however, and he decided to consult Dr. Wright. The infection received by the nail thrust was evidently of the kind producing malignant oedema which finally develops gangrene. Two days before he died it became evident that the only chance for his life was the amputation of the foot, which was performed by Dr. Wright in consultation with Drs. Harrison and Garner. His condition appeared fairly hopeful for twelve hours subsequent to the operation, but at the end of that time symptoms of septicalmia became more marked and after a few more hours his life was ended.