C. tetani is found as spores in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. C. tetani produces a potent biological toxin, tetanospasmin, and is the causative agent of tetanus, a disease characterized by painful muscular spasms that can lead to respiratory failure and, in up to 40% of cases, death.
mind. 1. the element, part, or process in a human or other conscious being that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc. 2. Psychol. the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities. 3. intellect or understanding, esp. as distinguished from the emotions and will; intelligence.
B2 [ before noun ] relating to the mind, or involving the process of thinking: 1  The family has a history of mental disorder. 2  A doctor was asked about the mental state of the prisoner. 3  She had a mental picture (= a picture in her mind) of how the house would look when they finished redecorating it.