A disease affecting cattle and other animals, characterized by a deficiency of minerals, particularly phosphorus, causing weakness and bone problems.
From Dutch and Afrikaans, combining 'gal' (possibly related to 'gall' or deficiency) with 'ziekte' (Dutch/Afrikaans for 'disease'). The term originated in South African agricultural contexts.
Galziekte was a mysterious plague in early South Africa that killed enormous numbers of cattle—farmers couldn't figure out why their animals were weakening until scientists discovered the soil itself was missing essential minerals, especially phosphorus, needed to build strong bones.
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