Anaesthetic:
That which produces insensibility to pain
Anecdotal:
Telling the characteristics of subject matter, but not the subject itself.
Antibacterial:
Destroying bacteria or inhibiting their growth.
Antibiotic:
A chemical substance that kills microorganisms and cures infections.
Antiseptics:
Clean and free of disease-causing organisms, and made free from live bacteria or other microorganisms.
Bacilli:
Any rod-shaped bacteria i.e. long and slender.
Bacteria:
Bacteria are the smallest of microscopic organisms. Single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases (commonly called "germs").
Bovine:
Relating to the ox or cow.
Chemotherapy:
The use of chemical agents (drugs) to treat or control disease.
Christmas Seals:
Stamps distributed by the Lung Association to raise funds used in the fight against Tuberculosis. www.lung.ca/christmas/
Chronic:
Continuing for a long time.
Consumption:
Another name for Tuberculosis, Commonly used before the 20th century. People who had consumption were referred to as consumptives.
Diagnosed:
The state in which the disease has been reconized.
Directly Observed Therapy (DOT):
In directly observed therapy, the ingestion of every dose of prescription medicine is directly observed by a health professional.
Dispensary:
A place where medicines are prepared and dispensed.
DOT:
See: Directly Observed Therapy.
Epidemic:
A disease which affects a large number in a community, all at the same time.
Epidemiology:
The branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease in populations.
Gastric Washings:
Is done to acquire sputum which will be used in a test for tuberculosis. This procedure is for patients that cannot produce any sputum. It consists of introducing a small, smooth rubber tube into the stomach, so that contents of the stomach can be removed.
Germs:
See: Bacteria
Infection:
The state of being contaminated by disease-causing bacteria.
Infectious:
Having the capabilities to pass a disease on to another person.
Infirmary:
A hospital, or place where patients receive treatment.
Lobectomy:
A surgical removal of a lobe from the lung.
Lymphatic System:
The interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph(transparent liquid) circulates throughout the body.
Meningitis:
Inflammation of the meninges(membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord); caused by bacterial infection.
Microbiology:
The study of minute organisms, or microbes, or bacteria.
Microorganisms (Microbes):
Very small organisms; so small that you need to use a microscope to see them.
Mortality:
Death
Mucous:
A gelatinous or slimy substance which is coughed up from the respiratory system.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis:
The species of bacteria that cause tuberculosis in humans.
Nervous System:
The nervous system is often divided into three systems: the central, brain and spinal cord; the peripheral, cranial and spinal nerves; and the sympathetic.
Pasteurization:
Sterilization of foods at a temperature that destroys harmful microorganisms without major changes in the chemistry of the food.
Phrenicotomy:
A treatment method where part of the lung is paralyzed by crushing a major nerve, so that movement of the lung is restricted. This gave the tuberculous
lung more rest so it could heal itself.
Phthisis:
An ancient term for TB.
Plague:
An infection that effects a large number of people.
Pneumoectomy:
The surgical removal of a whole lung.
Pneumothorax:
A surgical method to collapse a lung. The space between the lung and the chest wall is filled with air, so the lung muscles are less active.
Pulmonary:
Relating to or affecting the lungs.
Resistant:
Incapable of being affected.
Resurgence:
The coming again into activity and prominence.
Sanatorium (plural "Sanatoria"):
Hospital, or clinics dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis.
Sanitation:
The state of being clean and free of germs, which aids in the preservation of health.
Smear:
A thin tissue or blood sample spread on a glass slide for examination under a microscope. If a person is "smear-positive", this means the lab found some TB bacteria on their smear.
Sputum:
See Mucous.
Thoracoplasty:
The surgical removal of several rib bones from the chest wall in order to collapse a lung.
Tubercle:
The deposit which accompanies tuberculosis. It is most frequently found in the lungs, and causes tuberculosis.
Tubercle Bacilli:
Discovered by Koch in 1882, refers to the germs that cause TB, belonging to the species mycobacterium TB.
Tuberculosis:
Infected by, or having to do with tuberculosis.
Tubercular:
Infected by, or having to do with tuberculosis.
X-ray:
A camera that produces a visual picture of the internal organs.
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