Antiblennorrhagic

/ˌæntiˌblɛnərˈædʒɪk/ adjective

Definition

Treating or effective against gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection characterized by an unusual discharge.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + blennorrhagic (from Greek blenna discharge + rhagia bursting forth). The term emerged in the late 19th century when doctors developed treatments for this common venereal disease.

Kelly Says

Before antibiotics, antiblennorrhagic treatments were crude—mercury was actually used as a medicine, which was almost as harmful as the disease itself, showing how medical history can be both fascinating and horrifying!

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