A case of tetanus treated with Kampo medicines such as Kakkonto and Shakuyakukanzoto.

A 74-year-old man developed tetanus 3 days after working with cow and poultry manure. Kakkonto and shakuyakukanzoto, traditional Japanese herbal medicines that are effective for the relief of pain primarily related to muscle contraction, were given to control the trismus and painful contracture of the neck. Generalized convulsions were controlled without the use of muscle relaxants.

After 30 days, the patient was discharged from the hospital without any sequelae.

Kakkonto and shakuyakukanzoto may be useful for the control of muscle spasms resulting from generalized tetanus.