Tetanus (Lockjaw)

It begins almost imperceptibly. The jaw grows heavy. The mouth can no longer open properly. What seems like a harmless tension is the beginning of something that puts the entire musculature into a state you can scarcely imagine: total contraction that can no longer be released. The muscles clench and stay clenched. Not rhythmically, not in waves — but continuously, mercilessly, escalating into painful spasms that seize the entire body. Swallowing becomes difficult. Breathing becomes difficult. The body stiffens into a single tense block.

Medically, tetanus is an infection with the bacterium Clostridium tetani, usually through a contaminated wound. The bacterium produces a nerve toxin that blocks muscular relaxation — which is why the body falls into a state of permanent cramping. Lockjaw is a medical emergency and can be fatal without treatment.