History

In the past, tetanus was a lot more common. People didn't wear shoes, so they were more likely to step on something sharp and the wound would get infected. Also, hospitals today are a lot cleaner that hospitals in the past. In unclean environments, people with open wounds are prone to getting tetanus, as deep cuts are perfect for C. tetani since air cannot reach the virus, allowing it to live.
Today, tetanus isn't much of a problem in America. In underdeveloped countries and parts of Africa, tetanus is still a problem, as they often go barefoot and get cut and infected.
In America, there are about fifty cases a year, and only ten percent of these are fatal. On a world-wide scale, there are approximately one million cases a year.