Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A tumour which will not grow again or spread to other parts of the body if it is removed surgically, but which can be fatal if not treated.  

A test to see if sugar is present in the urine [Described 1915. After Stanley Rossiter Benedict (1884—1936), physiological chemist at Cornell University, New York, USA.] A test for the presence of sugar in urine or other liquids. A few drops of the test solution are added to Benedict’s solution, prepared from sodium or potassium…

A protein found in the urine of people who have myelomatosis, lymphoma, leukemia and some other cancers [Described 1848. After Henry Bence Jones (1814-73), physician at St George’s Hospital, London, UK.]. A protein found in urine of individuals with multiple myeloma. The light chain portion of immunoglobulin molecules that may be deposited in the renal…

An informal term for the navel or umbilicus.  

A pain in the abdomen or stomach.  

Paralysis of the facial nerve on one side of the face, preventing one eye being closed. Also called facial paralysis [Described 1821. After Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842), Scottish surgeon. He ran anatomy schools, first in Edinburgh and then in London. Professor of Anatomy at the Royal Academy.] Bell’s palsy is an acute unilateral facial nerve…

Form of acute mania with delirium [After Luther Vose Bell (1806-62), American physiologist].  

An excessively calm state in a person, in a situation which would usually produce a show of emotion.  

A non-venereal form of syphilis which is endemic among children in some areas of the Middle East and elsewhere and is caused by a spirochaete strain of bacteria. Chronic, nonvenereal form of syphilis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, widespread in the Middle East and northern Africa, most commonly among children and their family members.…

A form of psychiatric treatment in which someone learns how to improve their condition. A form of psychiatric treatment based on learning theory. Symptoms are considered to be conditioned responses, and treatment is aimed at removing them, regardless of the underlying diagnosis. Desensitisation, operant conditioning, and aversion therapy are examples of behaviour therapy. Behaviour therapy…