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physiological tetanus
a spasm state in which sustained muscular contractions occur without periods of relaxation; it is caused by repetitive stimulation
of the motor nerve trunk at frequencies so high that individual muscle twitches are fused and cannot be distinguished from
one another. The condition is generally severe and is caused by a disease affecting the central nervous system or brain, such
as tetanus, rabies, or cerebral palsy. Severe cases can be fatal if not treated promptly; continued spasms can bring on exhaustion or asphyxiation.
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