Phthisis

(thi' -sis, ti'-sis or te'-sis). Formerly any dyscrasia producing emaciation and death; a wasting or consumption. The term has been restricted to designate all pulmonary lesions followed by disorganization of lung-ti ue, the formation of cavities, lo of function of the lungs, lo of health, and death. It is usually tuberculous in nature, due to the action of a specific vegetable microorganism, the bacillus of tuberculosis. The onset of phthisis is usually very insidious, with gradual lo of strength and flesh, and with cough and expectoration and lo of appetite; it may commence with a bronchitic attack or with one or more attacks of pleurisy; very rarely it follows an acute croupous pneumonia. The ball. P. calculosa, pulmonary tuberculosis in which the exudates in the smallest lobules become infiltrated with lime. P., Cerebral, tuberculosis of the brain or its membranes. P., Chronic, phthisis running a slow course. P. comb in at a. Synonym of P., Acute Pneumonic. P., Diabetic, pulmonary tuberculosis in a diabetic patient, manifesting itself as a caseous broncho-pneumonia. P., Embolic, degeneration of are as in the lung, the seat of emboli from other organs P. enteric a, tuberculosis of the intestines. P., Fibroid, P., Fibrous; I. Interstitial pneumonia. 2. Chronic tuberculosis of the lungs attended with the formation of fibrous ti ue, which contracts, causes shrinking of the affected lobe, and sometimes bronchiectasis by eccentric traction on the bronchi. The pleura is usually very much thickened and the layers may adhere so tightly that it is impo ible to separate them. P., Flax dre ers', tabacosis occurring in flax-dre ers. P. florida, acute phthisis speedily fatal also known as galloping consumption. P., Galloping. Synonym of P. fiorida. P., Glandular, tuberculosis of lymphatic glands. P., Gouty, a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes supposed to be due to gout. P., Granular. Synonym of Tuberculosis, Acute Mil most important symptoms of the fully-developed disease are cough, at first hacking, later loud, hollow, and paroxysmal; expectoration, frothy and viscid at first, later profuse, purulent, and nummular; fever of hectic type; emaciation often very rapid, hemoptysis, dyspnea, pain, night-sweats, anorexia, and digestive disorders.