from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Algid \Al"gid\ ([a^]l"j[i^]d), a. [L. algidus cold, fr. algere
to be cold: cf. F. algide.]
1. Cold; chilly. --Bailey. AS
[1913 Webster]
2. (Med.) Characterized by the presence of shock and cold
skin.
[AS]
{Algid cholera} (Med.),
(a) A term formerly used for a classic untreated cholera
(also called {Asiatic cholera}, caused by {Vibrio
cholerae}); it is marked by three stages that succeed
each other. These stages include a watery diarrhea
stage, a stage of shock and collapse characterized by
a cold skin and, the final stage of high fever.
Patients usually die at the second stage of the
disease.
(b) In its modern use, algid cholera refers to a cholera
that has entered the second stage of the disease. In
the 19th century, the term algid cholera referred to
Asiatic cholera, to distinguish it from other less
specific intestinal afflictions.
[AS]