128 BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



for ten hours, but are killed in three hours by cor- 

 rosive sublimate, 1 : 1000. 



Tetanus Infection in Man. Tetanus occurs more 

 commonly in the tropics than in colder climates. 

 In Peru, Brazil, and some of the West Indian islands 

 tetanus has at times become almost epidemic in its 

 frequency. 



The negro is particularly susceptible to tetanus, 

 whether from the physical peculiarities of his race 

 or from his unclean habits has not yet been deter- 

 mined. 



Among the negroes in hot climates tetanus in the 

 new-born by infection through the navel is very fre- 

 quent, which may be attributed to habits of unclean- 

 liness. 



Though an infectious disease, tetanus is not com- 

 municable from one person to another except by 

 direct inoculation. The disease can only be con- 

 tracted by the introduction of the tetanus bacillus 

 into the tissues of the body through abrasions or 

 wounds. 



The bacillus being strictly anaerobic, punctured 

 wounds such as occur by gunshots, or by stepping 

 upon nails, splinters, or other sharp objects which 

 carry the bacilli into the deeper tissues, where they 

 find favorable moisture, temperature, and absence 



