Milford chronicle., 1963-10-04
TefunUs An Old
Problem Threatens
A New Dilemma


Of all the po1sonS known tt
man, medicine is perhaps most
concerned with that produced by
tiny bacteria that go by the big
name Clostridium tetani.
For it is this poison, a sort
of by-product of the growth oi
the microscopic blob of life, that
causes the ravages of tetanus :
commonly called lockjaw.
Modern medicine has greatly
reduced the prevalence Of
tetanus. In fact, its uncom-
moness has caused such public
lack Of concern that the national
level Of immunity has decreased
in recent years. This In turn has
increased the danger that the
disease will start a comeback.
To reverse this ironical stu
alton, the American Medical AS
sociation this week began a con-
tinuing campaign Of public and
professional education aimed at
getting the nation's protection
against tetanuS on a firmer foot
ing.
TetanuS remains one of the
most dangerous diseases that
can strike a human being. No
antfbiotic or other drug can halt
a full-blown case of the disease,
and about go per cent Of those
afflicted die, according to Ray
mond L. White, Md, Director
Of Environmental Medicine for
the ANA.
TetanuS never has been a
mass killer as pneumonia and
tuberculosis once were, he ex-
plains. But It does cause a par
ticularly frightening form Of
death among the majority of
those 1t strikes.
"The fact Is" DR.. White said,
"practically no one needs to die
OF tetanus or acquire the
disease, for that matter. Yet
each year we still receive re-
ports Of 400 or SO cases."
The lethal seeds of this in
sidious disease are found
wherever civilization leaves its
mark In farm soil, city grit
and household dirt. They have
popped up In hospital operating
rooms tracked in by street
shoes and at one time were
even isolated from surgical
busting powder and "sterile"
vaccines.
While tetanus rarely haunts
the hospital any more, its
spores IN many parts Of
America are nearly as common
as dirt, and the chances are
you're carrying some on your
skin right now.
How is 1t then that tetanus is
not a more common disease?
For one thing, physicians are
trained and retrained to take
special precautions. Almost
every time he sees a wound--
major portal Of entry for
the diSease--the sp ecter of
tetanus arises In a Doctors
mind.
For another, tetanus Is a
finicky disease. Circumstances
must be exactly right for it to
strike.
The drumstick-shaped micro
organism that causes tetanus Is
physically rather feeble. A
breath Of fresh air will kill it :
a fact which has led some
physicians to place tetanus VIC
tins In pressure chambers
where more oxygen than normal
can be forced into body tissues.
The bacteria grows we'll, how
ever, In the air-free intestinal
tract Of animals, including man.
Within the intestineS the bac-
terra offer no outright threat to
the host. The danger lies In the
spores or seeds produced by
these bacteria which reach the
ground In animal manure.
In contrast to their parents,
the spores are extremely tough.
They are not affected by air and
are even transported great dis
tances by the wind. They can en-
dure an hour In boiling water
or terminate after sitting In
wait for a victim for as long as
eleven years providing con-
ditions are to their liking.
In order to begin their chain
Of Infection, tetanus spores must