phthisic etymology

Etymology:

• Greek: φθίσις (phthisis), from φθίνω (phthino), "to waste away"
• Latin: phthisis, phthisicus

Meaning:

Phthisis refers to a wasting disease, typically affecting the lungs, resulting in progressive tissue damage and loss of function.

Origin:

Phthisis has been recognized and described for centuries:

• Ancient Greece: Hippocrates (460-370 BC) used the term to describe consumption, a disease characterized by coughing, weight loss, and fever.
• Roman Empire: Galen (129-200 AD) expanded on Hippocrates' work and described phthisis as a disease of the lungs.
• Medieval Europe: Avicenna (980-1037 AD) described phthisis as a condition caused by excessive dryness in the lungs.
• 19th Century: With the advent of microscopy and germ theory, phthisis was linked to tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs.

Usage:

Today, the term "phthisis" is less commonly used, as it has been replaced by more specific names for wasting diseases, such as tuberculosis or lung cancer. However, it may still be encountered in historical or medical texts.

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