‖ paraphrenitis Path.
(pærəfrɪˈnaɪtɪs)
[mod.L., f. para-1 1 + phrenitis.]
A term for inflammation of the diaphragm, formerly thought to be invariably accompanied by delirium; hence applied to delirium supposed to be so produced. Cf. parafrenesie.
| 1693 Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Paraphrenitis, Madness, accompanied with a continual Fever,..thence the Midriff and Lungs are troubled. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl., Paraphrenesis, or Paraphrenitis,..a secondary kind of phrenzy, supposed by the ancients, to be owing not to any immediate disorder of the brain, or meninges, but to an inflammation of the ventricle, the liver, and especially the diaphragm, whereby the brain and meninges come to be affected by consent of parts. Ibid., Paraphrenitis, among modern physicians, is an inflammation of the mediastinum, or pleura about the diaphragm. 1876 tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. IV. 605 Diaphragmatic pleuritis is the disease of which a very expressive general description has been given by the ancient physicans, under the name of paraphrenitis. |
Hence paraphreˈnitic a. (Mayne 1857).