Rehabilitation Centre (Inc.) 
Before starting work at Kanyana, volunteers are asked to ensure that their tetanus immunisation is up to date. Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease. It is caused when spores of the bacteria Clostridium tetani, that are found in dirt and manure, enter the body through a cut, graze, burn or even a tiny hole from a splinter, thorn or bite.
As the bacteria multiply, they produce toxins that affect the motor nerve endings in muscles causing them to stiffen and lock up. This usually starts in the neck and jaw (hence the old fashioned name "lock jaw") and then spreads to the rest of the body. The patient becomes hypersensitive to stimuli such as noise and suffers muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems. This is not a nice disease, but prompt treatment with antibiotics to kill the bacteria and an antitoxin to neutralize the toxin, is very effective and prevents the disease progressing to the more horrific stages.
Tetanus is now a rare disease in Australia because of vaccination, but the bacteria is still common and a danger to all animals. Horses are the most susceptible species and also need vaccinating.
