Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by a bacterial infection clostridium tetani. The spores of this bacterium in a dormant state are found in soil, dust, surgical wounds, dental work, therapeutic abortions and animal bites, scratches and feces. There are many sources besides the commonly thought of rusty nails. Infection is caused by a puncture wound to the body where the bacterium is introduced but grows in only an environment that is anaerobic (without oxygen). Tetanus is rare but can be fatal by causing muscle spasms that can lead to respiratory paralysis. It especially affects the muscles in the jaw and the neck causing spasms called lockjaw. Prolonged muscle action can sudden, powerful, painful contractions called tetany. This can cause muscle tears, fractures, drooling, excessive sweating, fever, hand and foot spasms, irritability, trouble swallowing, uncontrolled urination and defecation, headache, drooling, seizures, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, and pneumonia. Tetanus can be in the body for several months but it usually lasts about eight days. Spasms can cause stiffness of the neck, elevated blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. Tetanus is uncommon in the United States but risks do increase if the person has not immunized, are an IV drug user, 50 years or older, have skin sores, wounds, or burns and or had exposure of open wounds to soil or feces (lifeline.com).

Muscle spasms from tetanus painted by Sir Charles Bell in 1809 (Wikipedia)

I was interested in tetanus because years ago my father had a fractured jaw and it was wired. Because his last name is Lockwood his male friends nick named him “lockjaw” as a joke. Remembering this story being told that happened years before I was born I was interested in learning more about what lockjaw really meant.