Henry Reed wrote:
> Do I recall reading that tetanus is extremely unlikely to be contracted > unless a puncture wound (deep type) is sustained from an object that has > been exposed to animal dung fairly recently? Like maybe a nail in a > barnyard fence? pj Hi all, Tetanus is an acute toxemia caused by "Clostridium tetani" (yes ,clostridium again, see botulism) when these organisms gain entrance into wounds providing conditions favorable for their growth. Such wounds are usually deep (not always) and "ragged" with devitalized tissue in which aerobic organisms are also growing. This provides the anaerobic state and dead tissue needed by Cl.tetani to produce a potent neurotropic toxin which circulates through the body after an incubation period of 1 to 3 weeks. (oxygen slows or stops growth of these anaerobic microbes, will not kill them). The symptoms, caused by the toxin are painful contractions of the muscles, usually of the neck and jaw (sometimes called lock jaw), followed by paralysis of the thoracic muscles and death. The Cl. tetani grows best at 37 C and a pH of 7 to 7.5. It will not ferment carbohydrates. The spores are resistant to heat and chemicals. Cl. tetani is found as saprophytes in the intestines of herbivorous animals and widely distributed in the soil, especially that fertilized with animal manure (same as botulism). "Infection may occur whenever a laceration (cut) or puncture wound is contaminated with soil (or anything that was in contact with soil or dust) or other material harboring the spores. That includes just about everything you may come in contact with. Thats why you maintain your booster shots for continued prophylaxsis. Any cut or breaking of the skin will "expose you" to tetanus. Contamination frequently occurs in traumatic injuries, automobile accidents, gunshot wounds or addicts administering drugs to themselves. Battle injuries were the site of many infections until prophylactic immunization became mandatory for all members of the Armed Forces. It has saved tens of thousands of lives. The use of "anti-toxin" in unimmunized accident victims (did you cut yourself) is imperative and provides passive protection of short duration. (means that once you get it , your chance of death is real good). Mortality in untreated cases is as high as 50% in the United states and higher in third world countries. Bless you Bob Lee -- oozing on the muggy shore of the gulf coast [email protected] -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
