Arsenicalism

/ɑrˈsenɪkəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The condition or state of being affected by arsenic; chronic arsenic poisoning or a tendency toward arsenic-related illness.

Etymology

From arsenical + the suffix -ism (indicating a condition, practice, or system). This medical term parallels other -ism diseases like alcoholism.

Kelly Says

Arsenicalism as a recognized disease category emerged in the 1800s when doctors realized some people had chronic low-level poisoning from their professions—like wallpaper manufacturers handling arsenic dyes daily.

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