a serious and potentially deadly disease caused by toxins produced by a bacterium, usually from improperly canned or preserved food.
From Latin 'botulus' meaning 'sausage,' because the disease was first identified in spoiled sausages in Germany. The '-ism' suffix indicates a disease or condition.
Botulism toxin is the deadliest substance known to humans—one billionth of a gram can kill you—yet doctors deliberately inject it into faces as Botox for wrinkles, showing how context and dosage determine if something is a weapon or a beauty treatment.
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