pellagra

pellagra
    n 1: a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or
         by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to
         niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and
         erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by
         malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments
         [syn: {pellagra}, {Alpine scurvy}, {mal de la rosa}, {mal
         rosso}, {maidism}, {mayidism}, {Saint Ignatius' itch}]
    

Pellagra \Pel"la*gra\ (p[e^]l"l[.a]*gr[.a]), n. [It. pelle skin
   + agro rough.] (Med.)
   An affection of the skin, characterized by redness,
   especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the
   skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal
   disturbance and nervous symptoms. It is due to a deficiency
   of niacin (vitamin B3; nicotinic acid) and protein in the
   diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or, in some cases,
   by a heavy dependence on maize for food. It was at one time
   (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was called {Alpine
   scurvy}. It may also be caused by alcoholism or diease
   causing an impairment of nutrition. It is also called {St.
   Ignatius's itch}, {maidism}, {mal de la rosa}, {mal rosso},
   and {psychoneurosis maidica}. A variety of pellagra seen in
   children is called {infantile pellagra} or {kwashiorkor}.
   --[Stedman]
   [1913 Webster +PJC]
    

25 Moby Thesaurus words for "pellagra":
      Lombardy leprosy, anemia, ariboflavinosis, beriberi, cachexia,
      chlorosis, deficiency anemia, dermatitis, goiter, greensickness,
      keratomalacia, kwashiorkor, maidism, malnutrition, night blindness,
      osteomalacia, osteoporosis, pernicious anemia, protein deficiency,
      rachitis, rickets, scurvy, struma, vitamin deficiency,
      xerophthalmia