Tetanus.

While the incidence of clinical tetanus had decreased greatly, efforts to eradicate the disease will depend mainly upon continued stress on prophylaxis. Recent cases demonstrate the need for both continued vigil in prophylaxis and sensitivity to the early signs of the clinical disease. The fundamentals of treatment are: neutralize formed toxin, eradicate Clostridium tetani, debride tissues adequately, control spasm and start immunization. Complications are legion. Mortality is highest in the very young and in the elderly.