Relating to or characterized by the formation of abscesses or suppurating swellings.
From aposteme (abscess) + the adjectival suffix -atic. Describes conditions or processes involving the development of purulent infections in older medical terminology.
Apostematic entered English medical Latin during a period when doctors believed all infections had to 'come to a head' and discharge pus to heal—they were partly right (draining relieves pressure) but dangerously wrong about letting infections progress untreated.
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