Cholera \Chol"er*a\, n. [L., a bilious disease. See Choler.]
(Med.)
One of several diseases affecting the digestive and
intestinal tract and more or less dangerous to life, esp. the
one commonly called Asiatic cholera.
[1913 Webster]
Asiatic cholera, a malignant and rapidly fatal disease,
originating in Asia and frequently epidemic in the more
filthy sections of other lands, to which the germ or
specific poison may have been carried. It is characterized
by diarrhea, rice-water evacuations, vomiting, cramps,
pinched expression, and lividity, rapidly passing into a
state of collapse, followed by death, or by a stage of
reaction of fever.
Cholera bacillus. See Comma bacillus.
Cholera infantum, a dangerous summer disease, of infants,
caused by hot weather, bad air, or poor milk, and
especially fatal in large cities.
Cholera morbus, a disease characterized by vomiting and
purging, with gripings and cramps, usually caused by
imprudence in diet or by gastrointestinal disturbance.
Chicken cholera. See under Chicken.
Hog cholera. See under Hog.
Sporadic cholera, a disease somewhat resembling the Asiatic
cholera, but originating where it occurs, and rarely
becoming epidemic.
[1913 Webster]
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