Guinea-worm (Filaria Medinensis) is a parasitic worm of the order Nematoda. It is white and about the thickness of string and varies in length from 15 centimetres to one meter and it is found in the intertropical regions of the Old World. It is frequently found in the tissue of the human body below the skin, and produces a painful ulcer, out of which a small portion of the worm issues to eject its eggs. It is then carefully extracted by winding it round a stick once or twice every day, care being exercised not to break the worm. Research Guinea-worm
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor. He was born in 1895 at Castellanata and died in 1926 of blood poisoning following a perforated ulcer. He is best known for his starring role in silent films including the 1926 film 'The Son of the Sheik'. Research Rudolph Valentino
The development of bed sores in a patient in hospital, is usually considered to indicate bad nursing. Bed sores occur from interruption of the nutrition of areas of skin where the blood supply has been impaired by pressure. Bed sores are almost inevitable in some patients. The very thin, the very heavy, the incantinent and those who through some injury to the spine have lost the sensation of the skin at these points are most likely to develop pressure sores. Common sites for bed sores are the sacral area and the heels. In patients with septic conditions, nutrition is impaired by prolonged fever and there is frequently anaemia. Their toxic condition renders them less likely to move about and the greatest care needs to be taken to prevent the development of these pressure ulcers. Frequent change of position and massage of pressure points with spirit followed by powder is the best method of prevention. Early post-operative mobilisation of all patients who are fit to get up has done much to prevent this distressing complaint.
In unconscious patients or those who have had some injury to the spinal cord, a large pressure sore can develop as soon as twelve hours after the injury or onset of the illness. A bed sore on the sacral area may even develop from the patient's position on the operating table during a long operation. Although pressure sores rarely develop over the scapulae or the elbows, these points are subject to soreness and require similar preventive treatment when a patient is washed. An ulcer may develop on the shin from the weight of the other leg, if the legs of an unconscious patient are left crossed. Research Bed Sores
Nonulcer dyspepsia is a constant pain or discomfort in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. Symptoms include burning, nausea, and bloating, but no ulcer. It is possibly caused by muscle spasms. Research Nonulcer Dyspepsia
A peptic ulcer is a chronic sore or crater extending through the protective mucousmembrane lining and penetrating the underlying muscular tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. The areas most commonly affected are the upper part of the duodenum, the stomach. The cause of peptic ulcers is largely unknown, but stress is known to be a contributor in some cases. Research Peptic Ulcer
The stomach (fundus) is one of the primary organs of the digestive system. It is located in the middle of the abdominal cavity and extends from the lower end of the esophagus to the duodenum. A curved sac, the stomach has a lesser curvature along the top and a greater curvature along the bottom. The bolus of chewed food paste enters the stomach from the esophagus, propelled by peristaltic waves. The cardiac gastric glands are located near the entrance to the stomach and lubricate the food as it comes in. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid and the enzymes pepsin, rennin, and lipase which help digest the carbohydrates, proteins and fats in food. The stomach is lined with a durable mucous lining which protects it from the gastric juices so that the stomach itself is not digested. Occasionally, a portion of this lining wears thin and the digestive juices do aggravate the stomach lining. This condition is known as an ulcer and is a frequent occurrence which may affect the stomach, the lower esophagus, or the duodenum. The lower end of the stomach is guarded by the pylorus, a sphincter muscle which admits digested food into the duodenum after it has been adequately processed by the digestive juices.
The average stomach can hold about a liter, but can stretch to hold much more than this. When empty, or nearly empty, the stomach contracts to form folds, or rugae, in its mucous lining. Though it was once thought that the contractions of the stomach in the absence of food was what caused the sensation of hunger, it is now known that the primary impulse of hunger is due to low glucose levels in the bloodstream. However, the contraction of the stomach can often be felt, and this and the 'grumbling' heard as food is passed through the lower digestive tract also serve to remind one of the sensation of hunger. Research Stomach
Syphilis is a venereal disease (VD, STD) due to the micro-organism Treponema Pallidum. It is usually transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person, but may also be transmitted by contact with an infected person through cuts or scratches in the skin, making medical staff particularly at risk of contracting the disease. The initial stage of syphilis is a 'chancre' which resembles a large infected wart. It appears on the lips or in the genital area, but frequently this stage of the disease is overlooked and heals spontaneously.
Primary syphilis, as this stage is called, may then pass unnoticed. The secondary stage lasts for several weeks and is characterised by rashes and ulcerative lesions in the mouth. This stage also may be overlooked and if treatment is not instituted the patient will develop tertiary syphilis of which there are various manifestations. One is the development of a syphilitic tumour or gumma which breaks down and produces an ulcer - gummatous ulcer. Tertiary syphilis also affects the nervous system, producing tabes dorsalis (locomotor ataxia). In this condition the victim develops degenerative changes in the joints (Charcot's joints) and perforating ulcers in the feet. The child of an infected mother may be born with congenital syphilis which shows itself during the first two or three years of life in special changes which affect the child's bones, liver and eyes. Research Syphilis
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Guinea-worm
