The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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A serious disease characterized by painful spasms of all muscles.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria that are present everywhere in the environment and enter the body through a cut or open wound. It causes serious, painful spasms of all muscles in the body. Tetanus takes its nickname, lockjaw, from its most serious and advanced symptom—immobilization of the jaw, preventing the infected person from opening his or her mouth and from swallowing.
A vaccine to protect against tetanus is routinely administered during childhood in three doses, with the first dose at around four months of age. (See Immunization.) Further immunization against tetanus is needed, administered at ten-year intervals, through adulthood.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Address: 9000 Rockville Pike
NIG Building 31, Room 7A50
Bethesda, MD 20892-2529
Telephone: (301) 496-5717