diphtheria Path.
(dɪfˈθɪərɪə)
[ad. F. diphthérie, substituted by Bretonneau for his earlier term diphtherite: see diphtheritis.]
An acute and highly infectious disease, characterized by inflammation of a mucous surface, and by an exudation therefrom which results in the formation of a firm pellicle or false membrane. Its chief seat is the mucous membrane of the throat and air passages, but other mucous surfaces are at times attacked, as are also wounds or abrasions of the skin.
| 1857 Godfrey in Lancet Nov. 542 Report on Cases of Diphtheria or malignant sore throat. 1858 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 1 A disease of a new name has been recognised. From having first been noticed at Boulogne it was called the Boulogne sore throat; it has now received the medical name of Diphtheria. 1858 Sat. Rev. VI. 11/2 To save us from cholera, typhus, and diphtheria. 1860 New Syd. Soc. Year-bk. 151 Ranking publishes a lecture on diphtheria, in which he describes the disease as one wholly new to this country. 1884 Sir L. Playfair Sp. in Parl. 18 Mar., Diphtheria..when first imported from France in 1855, we used to call the Boulogne sore throat. |
| attrib. 1881 Daily News 14 Sept. 5/4 The Russian journals publish some terrible details of the diphtheria epidemic in Russia. 1892 Daily News 21 Mar. 6/2 The diphtheria handbill which the sanitary authorities have published. 1895 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 30 Mar. 721 The girl's throat was..found to contain the diphtheria bacillus. |
Hence
diphˈtherial,
diphˈtherian adjs., of or belonging to diphtheria.
| 1883 Syd. Soc. Lex., Diphtherial. 1893 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 26 Aug. 487 A detailed report on..the chemical pathology of diphtheria, and on diphtherial palsy. 1884 Pall Mall G. 3 July 3/1 Sucking a tube to draw out the ‘diphtherian matter’ in his child's throat. 1891 G. Meredith One of our Conq. I. xii. 228 The diphtherian whisper the commonalty hear of the commonalty. |