BILIOUS FEVER Meaning and
Definition
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Bilious fever refers to a specific type of fever characterized by the presence of bile in bodily fluids. It is typically associated with liver dysfunction or other related disorders. This term was commonly used in historical medical literature to describe various illnesses causing fevers with symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, all of which are indicative of an abnormal accumulation of bile.
Bilious fever is often associated with infectious diseases such as hepatitis or malaria, which can lead to liver damage and disrupt the flow of bile. In such cases, the liver struggles to properly process bilirubin (a yellow compound formed by the breakdown of red blood cells), resulting in its accumulation in the bloodstream. This condition leads to the characteristic yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice.
Historically, the term "bilious fever" was also used to describe any unidentified feverish illness accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. In contemporary medical practice, the term is no longer widely used, as advances in diagnostic capabilities have allowed for more specific identification of underlying causes. However, the historical understanding of bilious fever as a fever associated with liver dysfunction and bile accumulation remains relevant for the understanding of medical history and the interpretation of older texts.
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An ephemeral f. attended with symptoms of gastric catarrh and excessive secretion of bile.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BILIOUS FEVER
- bilious fevar
- bilious fevgr
- bilious feve2
- bilious feveb
- bilious fevez
- bilious fevev
- bilious fevep
- bilious feves
- b ilious fever
- bi lious fever
- bil ious fever
- bili ous fever
- bilio us fever
- biliou s fever
- bilious f ever
- bilious fe ver
- bilious fev er
- bilious feve r
Etymology of BILIOUS FEVER
The term "bilious fever" is derived from the combination of two words: "bilious" and "fever".
1. "Bilious" - This word originated from the Latin word "bilis", meaning "bile" (a digestive fluid produced by the liver). In ancient medicine, it was believed that an imbalance in the four humors of the body, including an excess of bile, caused various illnesses. Hence, the term "bilious" referred to diseases or symptoms associated with an excessive amount of bile, such as nausea, indigestion, or irritability.
2. "Fever" - This word comes from the Latin word "febris", meaning "fever" or "heat". It refers to the elevated body temperature that often accompanies various illnesses or infections.
Similar spelling words for BILIOUS FEVER
- Bullis fever,
- Fever, bilious,
- bullous fever.
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