Results in signs of muscarinic blockade throughout the body. Tetanus is characterized by increased muscle tone and spasms and is caused by a powerful protein toxin made by Clostridium tetani. The organism is found worldwide in soil. Toxin enters a wound and binds to peripheral motor neuron terminals, enters the axon and is transported to the cell body. With loss of inhibition, the motor neurons fire out of control.
Recovery requires sprouting of new terminals.
Spasms are caused by too much ACh at nicotinic receptors. A ganglionic blocker would be less specific than a NMJ blocker.