Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A genus of parasitic bacteria, one of which causes the plague. A genus of small rodlike Gram-negative bacteria that are parasites of animals and man. The species P. pestis causes plague in man, and P. tularensis causes tularemia. A group of bacilli. They are essentially animal parasites that under certain conditions are transmitted to humans,…

A medicinal ointment which is very thick and is spread or rubbed onto the skin. A medicinal preparation of a soft sticky consistency, which is applied externally. The term refers to dough, particularly one that contains a high proportion of shortening. This type of dough is commonly used in making puff pastries.  

Referring to time which has passed.  

Movement of a limb or other body part by a doctor or therapist, not by the person. Movement not brought about by a patient’s own efforts. Passive movements are induced by manipulation of the joints by a physiotherapist. They are useful in maintaining function when a patient has nerve or muscle disorders that prevent voluntary…

Used to avoid saying ‘die’ (informal).  

A long narrow channel inside the body. The process of moving from one place to another. Evacuation of the bowels. The introduction of an instrument into a cavity. A channel between cavities and body structures or with the external surface of an organ. Inoculating a parasite into a host or introducing a saprobe into a…

To allow faeces, urine or any other body product to come out of the body. In education, to have a level of performance that is considered evidence of satisfactory learning, whether for a specific test or piece of work or for a whole course; in the latter case a teacher will award the student credit…

Particles which occur in the skin lesions of people who have smallpox [After Enrique Paschen (1860-1936), German pathologist]. Particles that occur in the cells of skin rashes in patients with cowpox or smallpox; they are thought to be the virus particles.  

Starting off birth or making it easier to give birth.  

Not completely.