The Language of Medicine

The Language of Medicine Synopsis

Excerpt from The Language of Medicine: A Manual Giving the Origin, Etymology, Pronunciation, and Meaning of the Technical Terms Found in Medical Literature

Even the names of diseases, strange as it may seem, contain metaphors and other poetical figures. Carbuncles are like the purple reddish gems of the same name, icterus (greek 'ixre, oog) is the name of the yellow bird, while iliac passion is a phrase which recalls the spear thrust and the tragic sufferings on the Cross. History is found everywhere illustrated in words, calculate and testify take us back to the days when men told members with pebbles, calculi, and cast their votes with Shells, testae. Gentianas of Illyria is said to have discovered the virtues of the plant named after him. Magnets were first known in Magnesia, chalk, creta, in Crete.

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