[The expediency and feasibility of abolishing the use of antitetanus serum for injuries in the Arkhangel'sk region].

The use of antitetanus serum (ATS) in the north taiga soil-vegetative zone and farther to the north is inexpedient because of an insignificant contamination of soil with B. tetani and a trivial contact of the population with soil. In the Arkhangelsk region with a high incidence of trauma and a low tetanus morbidity the damage caused to the population by the administration of ATS in the form of serum sickness (1.1% of the persons given ATS injections) and anaphylactic shock considerably exceeded the value of negative results of the infection. In the presence of immune population (over 86% of the children and 82% of adults are immune) and with additional vaccination of definite groups it is not only possible, but necessary to suspend ATS injections in trauma; instead, 0.5 ml of tetanus toxoid should be used for revaccination. Suspension of ATS application in trauma gives marked economy of the budget of the public health of the region.