What does the word beriberi mean?
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A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine ( vitamin B1) and characterized by polyneuritis, cardiac pathology, and edema. The epidemic form is found primarily in areas in which white ( polished) rice is the staple food, as in Japan, China, the Philippines, India, and other countries of southeast Asia. ( Dorland, 27th ed)
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From beri in the Singhalese language, which signifies 'weakness;' therefore, beriberi, 'great weakness.' This word is also said to be Hindusthanee, and to mean a sheep. -Bontius. Beriberi is an Indian disease, little known in Europe. It consists in debility and tremors of the limbs, -sometimes, indeed, of the whole body; with painful numbness of the affected parts, &c. :-the patient walking doubled, and imitating the movements of sheep! Some authors have esteemed it rheumatic; others, paralytic; others, to be a kind of chorea. It is, almost always, incurable; is rarely fatal; and is treated by exercise, stimulant friction, sudorifics, &c. It is sometimes called Bar'biers, but this would seem to be a different disease.
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