Category: D

Dermographism, or factitious URTICARIA, refers to transient erythema and wealing caused by trauma to the skin. A form of urticaria (hives) in which a pale raised wheal and red flare are produced on the skin when it is gently stroked or scratched. Dermographism is a condition characterized by an exaggerated sensitivity of the skin to…

The removal of the surface layer of the skin by high-speed planing or sanding. Originally, dermabrasion was performed to improve the appearance of scars that resulted from injury or disease. It is now also used to treat acne scars, remove tattoos, and correct sun-related skin damage such as fine wrinkles and age spots. Dermabrasion, or…

A measure of an individual’s or group’s lack of normal social amenities such as proper housing, diet and warmth. It was devised to help assess the medical services needed by a socially deprived population.  

A form of chronic body sore occurring in Eastern countries, caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania tropica. An ulcer resulting from a leishmaniasis infection.  

Malformations or distortions of part of the body. They may be present at birth, or they may be the result of injuries, or disease, or simply produced by bad posture, like the curved spine occasionally found in children.  

The popular name of Atropa belladonna, from which atropine is procured. Its poisonous black berries are sometimes eaten by children. The Atropa belladonna plant, commonly known as belladonna, produces purple-black berries containing a toxic substance called belladonna alkaloid. These berries are deceptively sweet-tasting, making them especially tempting to children. Consumption can lead to extreme agitation,…

Practically, only three methods have been used from the earliest times: burial, embalming and cremation. Burial is the earliest and most primitive method. In Britain, it was customary to bury the bodies of the dead in consecrated ground around churches until the early 19th century, when the unsanitary state of churchyards led to legislation for…

When awake, a person may imagine enjoyable or exciting events or images. Most people daydream at some stage, but more usually when they are stressed or unhappy. Children and teenagers may daydream a lot. This should not necessarily worry parents or teachers unless their work suffers or it affects the individual’s personal relationships. In those…

The thin muscle just under the skin of the scrotum which enables the scrotum to alter its shape. The muscular, contractile tissue beneath the skin of the scrotum. The smooth muscle under the scrotal skin that contracts to tighten the scrotum, as it does in cold conditions.  

A muscle-relaxing drug, used in chronic severe spasticity (stiffness) of voluntary muscle such as may occur after a stroke or in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Unlike most other relaxants, it acts directly on the muscle, thus producing fewer central-nervous-system side-effects. It is contraindicated if liver function is impaired, and is not recommended for…