BERIBERI, BERI-BERI

n’s, Be?r-i?-be?r/i?, Said to be from the Hindu stan i word b’here, a sheep, from the fanciful notion that those affected with the disease walk with a kind of jerking motion, like a eaER species of that animal. [N, Chevers, * Med. Times and Gaz.,” April 5, 1884, p. 448.] Lat., beriberi a. Fr., bé béri, Ger., Beri-Beri. It., Sp., beri-beri. Jap., kakke. Syn.: acute anemic i A constitutional disease, which begins with anemia, and manifests in its progre stiffne of the limbs, numbne and even paralysis of the lower extremities, difficult breathing, and a swollen countenance. Thé quantity of urine secreted is diminished and there is general cedema. It usually ends in death, which is often preceded hy an effusion into the serous cavities. [D, 1.] “ A recurrent, non-contagious disease, attacking up to the present time only the natives of Japan, electing the residents of most densely populated towns, and particularly of the low crowded districts in these places; most prevalent during the period of high temperature and heavy rain-fall; with or without rise of temperature; marked and temporary numbne of certain portions of the surface; paralytic affections, most commonly of the lower and upper extremiities, but occasionally other parts, tending to atrophy, with spasm and tenderne , in the paralyzed muscles; œdem a, usually confined to the lower extremities, and palpitation.” (Sozuki and Toyozumi, “australian Med. Jour.,” Dec., 1882, p. 535.] See, also, BARBIERS.