Lockjaw is a disease of the nervous system due to some specific bacillus that enters through a wound. It has received its name doubtless because of the muscular spasms which first affect the muscles of the jaw, and prevent opening of the mouth. It is supposed to be a disease of the spinal cord, but the change in its structure is so slight that examinations made after death do not fully reveal its real nature. It may result from as slight an injury as a splinter in the hand or foot, or from a small cut; may also attack women who have had a miscarriage or been confined, and newly-born children. The spasms have been known to be so violent as to break bones, and in bad cases patients have been drawn into an arch, bearing all their weight on the back of the head and heels. Such patients must be fed through a tube inserted between the teeth or through the nostrils. (See fevers.)

Prevent Lockjaw

It is important that all wounds be cleansed, especially those caused by anything which may be poisonous, such as rusty nails or splinters from wood that has come in contact with dirt. The wound may be washed with water which has been boiled, then cleansed with turpentine one part turpentine to ten of water.