All wounds are easily infected, the greatest danger being from tetanus. These germs are found in all types of animal manure. Street dirt is always contaminated with tetanus germs. So is the soil around farms, gardens, and rural areas. For this reason, everyone, young and old, should be fully protected against tetanus.

The best way to protect you is to take a series of tetanus toxoid injections before the injury occurs. Prevention is always better than cure. Even today, very few patients ever recover once the tetanus has fully developed. Most young babies are now given special combination shots which include protection against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus or lockjaw , and polio. This injection is known as DPT-Polio and is given at monthly intervals for three doses. The first injection is given when the child is two months old. After this first series, another tetanus toxoid injection should be given every three years until the child is twelve years of age.

Tetanus toxoid injections should be given to adults at least every five years, more often if they travel a lot or work with animals. These tetanus toxoid injections produce an active immunity to the disease. All who travel in buses or cars or trains are likely to be involved in injuries of one kind or another. The more the individual is protected against tetanus, the safer he will be. If the tetanus toxoid injections have not been given before the injury, the doctor may decide to use tetanus antitoxin, which is more serious type of injection, especially if a person is allergic to horse serum. The wise person will be protect himself against tetanus now, before he is injured.