PURPURA

known also as the “ Purples,” is the name of a rash caused by the rupture of small blood-ve els and the escape of blood beneath the skin. Purple coe are thus caused which do not disappear on the application of pre ure, and which vary in size from that of a flea-bite to that of a half-crown or more. The cause is cither (1) some change in the blood, which makes the walls of the smaller ve els no longer capable of withstanding the pre ure within them, or (2) rupture of ve ols from strain, ¢.g., whooping cough or from een tion of the fat which normally supports them, as in the a of old people, or (3) is duc to strong nervous disturbance, as in the stigmata of the art bs some cases of hysteria, neuralgia, ctc. Group (1) incl many grave conditions, ¢.g., the worst forms of the infectious fevers. Group (2) is not serious. In all cases, however, send for the doctor. PUS is “ matter.” See Inf am mat i on. [s. 399]