Antispasis

/ænˈtɪspəsɪs/ noun

Definition

In medicine, the drawing of blood or fluids to one part of the body away from another part; a counter-action to spasis (drawing).

Etymology

From 'anti-' (counter) plus 'spasis,' from Greek 'spa-' meaning to draw or pull. This is an archaic medical term from the era of humoral theory.

Kelly Says

'Antispasis' is a ghost word from medieval medicine—doctors believed they could cure ailments by drawing blood away from an infected area, using tourniquets and leeches based on this theory, which made absolutely no sense but influenced medicine for centuries.

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