Category: D
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Diverticulitis
Inflammation of a diverticulum, a small pocket in the wall of the intestine. Inflammation of an abnormal sac (diverticulum) at a weakened point in the digestive tract, esp. the colon. Symptoms include cramplike abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea or constipation. Treatment is by rest and antibiotics; severe cases may require surgery. Feces become trapped inside…
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Divergent strabismus
A condition in which a person’s eyes both look away from the nose. Strabismus in which the deviating eye turns outward.
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Divarication
Separation into widely spread branches. The point at which a structure forks or divides.
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Dithranol
An anti-inflammatory drug used to treat dermatitis and psoriasis. A drug applied to the skin as an ointment or paste to treat ringworm infections, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. It may irritate the skin on application. A drug used to treat psoriasis. It is usually very effective, being applied normally for short contact periods of…
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Disturb
To interrupt what someone is doing. To upset or worry someone.
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District general hospital
A hospital which serves the needs of the population of a specific district.
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Distraction
Something that takes a person’s attention away from something else. A state where someone is very emotionally and mentally troubled. A state of mental confusion or derangement.
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Distort
To twist something into an unusual shape.
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Distilled water
Water which has had impurities by distillation. Water cleansed of impurities and micro¬ organisms by converting it into steam and then condensing it again (usually several times) as a liquid. It has many uses, as for mixing chemicals and irrigating body parts. Water that has been purified by distillation. It is used in preparing pharmaceuticals.…
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Distil
To separate the component parts of a liquid by boiling and collecting the condensed vapour.