Aurangzeb Khan.
Horse hair and Tetanus A case study.
J Surg Pak Jan ;7(3):52-3.

A case of tetanus is reported. The disease was contracted from a horse hair used by a quack to excise a mole. The causative organism, Clostridium tetani, resides in horse hair and excreta. Unhealthy practices still prevalent in rural areas of Pakistan which can lead to this fatal disease. CASE REPORT:

A 45-year-old female was brought with lockjaw and stiffness of lower limbs and back. About six weeks ago, she had a mole over her right orbital margin excised with horse hair. She had myoclonic convulsions of the whole body, occurring every two to three minutes lasting for 1 to 2 minutes. She was unable to open her mouth or swallow anything. The muscles of her abdomen and lower limbs were rigid and movements were painful. Stiffness of her facial and neck muscles was evident in the classic, sardonic grin. Her temperature was 100°F and she was stable hemodynamically. She was nursed in a dark and quiet room. Anti-tetanus serum was administered and intravenous benzyl penicillin started. She was fed through a well-lubricated naso-gastric tube and was kept sedated by giving her diazepam, phenobarbitone, chlorpromazine and Dormicum. She needed oxygen inhalation and analgesics for the first few days. Stiffness of her muscles persisted for a week and convulsions stopped after two weeks.

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