- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
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Cilostridium tetani bacteria are found in dust and animal faeces. Infection may occur after minor injury (sometimes unnoticed punctures to the skin that are contaminated with soil, dust or manure) or after major injuries such as open fractures, dirty or deep penetrating wounds, and burns. Tetanus is not passed on from one person to another. Having highly polished SS blades will minimise them carrying bacteria but won't prevent it - any wound can introduce bacteria - your skin is loaded with bugs.
Ever noticed how skin is painted with iodine or other bactericide before surgery - and surgeons wear masks not so much to protect themselves as to reduce the risk of breathing germs into open wounds. Before antibiotics and aseptic surgery it was common practise to cauterise (burn with a hot metal implement) a wound to reduce bleeding and to attempt to sterilise the wound, but the tetanus spores are very heat resistant.
Ever noticed how skin is painted with iodine or other bactericide before surgery - and surgeons wear masks not so much to protect themselves as to reduce the risk of breathing germs into open wounds. Before antibiotics and aseptic surgery it was common practise to cauterise (burn with a hot metal implement) a wound to reduce bleeding and to attempt to sterilise the wound, but the tetanus spores are very heat resistant.
