ACRODYNIA

[eos n, f. A?k(a>k)-ro-di?n(du°n)i?-a?, From äxpov, an extremity, and 88vvq, pain, Fr., acrodynie, mal des pieds et des mains, maladie de Paris. Ger., Akrodynie, It., Sp., acrodinia, Syn.: erythema epidemicum [Alibert] (seu acrodynia), chiropadalgia [Bally]. Lit., pain in the extremities. 1. A name given by Chardon to an acute general disease, usually occurring as an epidemic, eenecially in Eastern countries, but also elsewhere (having prevailed extensively in France from 1828 to 1830); attended with disorders of the nervous system, the mucous membranes, and the skin, but specially characterized by pains in the extremities, together with a rash beginning on the hands and feet as erythematous spots, which coalesce and extend over the upper and lower limbs and sometimes portions of the trunk. The affected portions of the skin undergo desquamation, thickening, and pigmentation, while the remaining portions also become darker in color. These he no men a are mentioned as among the symptoms of ergotism.