from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
erysipelas \er`y*sip"e*las\ ([e^]r`[i^]*s[i^]p"[-e]*las), n.
[L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin.
See {Red}, and {Pell}, n.] (Med.)
St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a
diffused red edematous inflammation of the skin, which,
starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over
its surface. It is often accompanied by severe constitutional
symptoms. It is caused by a group A hemolytic streptococcus
({Streptococcus pyogenes}), is contagious, and formerly often
occured epidemically.
[1913 Webster +PJC]