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rachitismore about rachitis

rachitis


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Rickets  \Rick"ets\,  n.  pl  [Of  uncertain  origin;  but  cf  AS 
  wrigian  to  bend,  D.  wrikken  to  shake,  E.  wriggle.]  (Med.) 
  A  disease  which  affects  children,  and  which  is  characterized 
  by  a  bulky  head,  crooked  spine  and  limbs,  depressed  ribs, 
  enlarged  and  spongy  articular  epiphyses,  tumid  abdomen,  and 
  short  stature,  together  with  clear  and  often  premature  mental 
  faculties.  The  essential  cause  of  the  disease  appears  to  be 
  the  nondeposition  of  earthy  salts  in  the  osteoid  tissues. 
  Children  afflicted  with  this  malady  stand  and  walk 
  unsteadily.  Called  also  {rachitis}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Rachitis  \Ra*chi"tis\,  n.  [NL.,  fr  Gr  ?  (sc.  ?),  fr  ?,  ?,  the 
  spine.]  [Written  also  {rhachitis}.] 
  1.  (Med.)  Literally,  inflammation  of  the  spine,  but  commonly 
  applied  to  the  rickets.  See  {Rickets}. 
 
  2.  (Bot.)  A  disease  which  produces  abortion  in  the  fruit  or 
  seeds.  --Henslow. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  rachitis 
  n  1:  inflammation  of  the  vertebral  column 
  2:  childhood  disease  caused  by  deficiency  of  vitamin  D  and 
  sunlight  associated  with  impaired  metabolism  of  calcium 
  and  phosphorus  [syn:  {rickets}] 




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