spasmophilia Path.
(spæzməʊˈfɪlɪə)
[f. spasm + -o + -philia.]
Undue tendency of the muscles to contract, esp. as caused by a deficiency of systemic calcium.
| 1859 R. G. Mayne Expos. Lex. Med. Sci. 1177/2 Spasmophilia, an epithet by Jos. Frank applied to erratic, spasmodic affections. 1892 D. H. Tuke Dict. Psychol. Med. II. 843/1 Hyperæsthesia, with the corresponding hyperkinesis, spasmophilia or convulsions, is the principal symptom of spinal irritation. 1907 Brit. Jrnl. Children's Dis. IV. 448 J. Zahorsky includes tetany, carpal spasm, carpopedal spasm, laryngospasm and eclampsia, under the name of spasmophilia. 1953 J. H. Ebbs in Gaisford & Lightwood Paediatrics I. xxxix. 436 Spasmophilia can be defined as an increased excitability of the neuro-muscular junction. 1976 Roumanian Jrnl. Med. Endocrinol. XIV. 249 Normocalcemic spasmophilia is not recognized as a morbid entity but as a minor symptom often associated to neurosis. |
Hence ˈspasmophile rare—1, one who suffers from spasmophilia; spasmoˈphilic a., of, pertaining to, or suffering from spasmophilia.
| 1908 Med. Rec. (N.Y.) 30 May 903/1 The theory..that spasmophilic diathesis is a form of latent tetany. 1930 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. 22 Feb. 525/1 The calcium and inorganic phosphate tended toward spasmophilic levels. 1938 S. Beckett Murphy 49 That schizoidal spasmophile. 1941 Amer. Jrnl. Dis. Children LXI. 376 (heading) Presentation of a spasmophilic newborn infant. |