Antapoplectic

/ænˌtæpəˈplɛktɪk/ adjective

Definition

In classical medicine, a treatment or substance believed to prevent or counteract apoplexy (stroke or sudden loss of consciousness).

Etymology

From Greek 'anti-' (against) + 'apoplektikos' (stricken down), from 'apoplexy' (stroke). A medieval medical term for preventative treatments.

Kelly Says

Medieval doctors had no real cure for strokes, but they believed certain herbs and bloodletting were 'antapoplectic'—the term shows how doctors created vocabulary for treatments they hoped would work!

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