$Unique_ID{BRK00957}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Bewildered By the Use of the Term "Disease"}
$Subject{diseases disease definition definitions Infections malfunctions
deteriorations community social medical dictionary dictionaries doctor
doctors Infection}
$Volume{A-0,W-0}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Bewildered By the Use of the Term "Disease"


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QUESTION:  As a pharmacist, I am at times bewildered by the use of the term
"disease" as it applies to malfunctions of the body organs.  Growing up in the
20's and 30's as I recall it, diseases were infections, not malfunctions or
deteriorations of an organ.  Do you grasp the point I'm trying to make?
Please explain.

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ANSWER:  I consulted three dictionaries in my search for your answer,
Stedman's Medical Dictionary, Webster's Deluxe Unabridged, and my battered
copy of Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary.  Webster said it most simply
"any departure from health; illness in general" or "a particular destructive
process in the body with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms".  Both
medical dictionaries accept any "deviation from", "interruption of" or
"perversion" of normal function, as a definition of disease.  It would seem
that "infection" is just one of many disease processes.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.