Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

lumpy jaw

(Encyclopedia)lumpy jaw, infectious disease of cattle and swine caused by the bacterium Actinomyces bovis. It is characterized by an infection of the bone of the head, particularly the mandible and the maxilla, wit...

Duchenne, Guillaume Benjamin Amand

(Encyclopedia)Duchenne, Guillaume Benjamin Amand gēyōmˈ bäNzhämăNˈ ämäNˈ düshĕnˈ [key], 1806–75, French physician. He is noted for researches on diseases of the muscular and nervous systems and for h...

MERS

(Encyclopedia)MERS or Middle East respiratory syndrome, relatively rare viral disease caused by MERS-CoV, a coronavirus. Although some infected persons have no or only coldlike symptoms, in most known cases of MERS...

myasthenia gravis

(Encyclopedia)myasthenia gravis mīəsthēˈnēə gräˈvĭs [key], chronic disorder of the muscles characterized by weakness and a tendency to tire easily. It is caused by an autoimmune attack on the acetylcholine...

Mastigophora

(Encyclopedia)Mastigophora măsˌtĭgŏfˈərə [key], phylum of unicellular heterotrophic protozoans of the kingdom Protista. Most of the approximately 1,500 species of Mastigophora are propelled by one or more fl...

rheumatic fever

(Encyclopedia)rheumatic fever ro͞omătˈĭk [key], systemic inflammatory disease, extremely variable in its manifestation, severity, duration, and aftereffects. It is frequently followed by serious heart disease, ...

trichinosis

(Encyclopedia)trichinosis trĭkˌĭnīˈəsĭs [key], parasitic disease caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. It follows the eating of raw or inadequately cooked meat, especially pork. The larvae are releas...

herbal

(Encyclopedia)herbal, early botanical book containing descriptions and illustrations of herbs and plants with their properties, chiefly those qualities that made them useful as medicines or condiments. Most of the ...

elm

(Encyclopedia)elm, common name for the Ulmaceae, a family of trees and shrubs chiefly of the Northern Hemisphere. Elm trees (genus Ulmus) have a limited use as hardwoods for timber, especially the rock or cork elm ...

heartburn

(Encyclopedia)heartburn, burning sensation beneath the breastbone, also called pyrosis. Heartburn does not indicate heart malfunction but results from nervous tension or overindulgence in food or drink. The sensati...