The Grinning Death
The Grinning Death – is a deadly disease characterized by painful contractions of body muscles; prolonged cramps of the patient's mimic muscles were recognized as an "ironic smile." The convulsive seizure specific posture, opisthotonus, is depicted on a painting of surgeon, Sir Charles Bell (1809).
The disease is caused by a bacterium, Clostridium tetani. It enters the body through the wound contaminated with a soil. Due to the name of the bacterium, the disease was called tetanus. It was associated with wars and natural disasters, although today tetanus can be prevented by vaccination.
Apply Now
