Poisoning or toxic effects resulting from exposure to or ingestion of cantharidin or cantharides.
From 'cantharidin' plus the suffix '-ism' meaning 'condition of' or 'disease caused by.' Developed as a medical diagnostic term in the 18th-19th centuries.
Cantharidism causes an absolutely excruciating death—victims experience burning sensations throughout their digestive system, kidney failure, and internal bleeding, which is why it was historically a secret murder weapon!
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