Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

1. Literally, relating to scrofula (tuberculosis (or TB like bacteria) of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck). 2. Figuratively, morally contaminated and corrupt.

An informal colloquial term for a prescription. Derived from prescription by removing both its beginning and ending to save a little bit of time and effort.

A naturally occurring member of a large chemical class of compounds called alkaloids. Scopolamine was first introduced into medical usage in 1902. The name comes from that of the 18th-century Italian naturalist Giovanni Scopoli. Scopolamine and atropine, comes from the plant Atropa belladonna also called “deadly nightshade.” It was once used by the Spanish ladies to dilate their pupils and make their…

Localized hardening of skin. Sclerosis is generally caused by underlying diseases, such as diabetes and scleroderma. Treatment is directed toward the cause.

A disease of connective tissue that causes scar tissue (fibrosis) to form in the skin and sometimes also in other organs of the body. Scleroderma is classified into diffuse and limited forms. Diffuse scleroderma affects many internal and external areas of the body, including the skin of the entire body, the bowels, and the lungs. Limited scleroderma affects only certain…

(Or scler-) A confusing prefix that can refer exclusively to hardness (from the Greek “skleros” meaning hard) but that can also refer to the sclera of the eye. Sclerodactyly, for example, is localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes and scleroderma is disease of connective tissue with the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in…

(Or sclero-) A confusing prefix that can refer exclusively to hardness (from the Greek “skleros” meaning hard) but that can also refer to the sclera of the eye. Sclerodactyly, for example, is localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes and scleroderma is disease of connective tissue with the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in…

One of several brain diseases whose symptoms may include loss of personality (flat affect), agitation, catatonia, confusion, psychosis, unusual behavior, and social withdrawal. The illness usually begins in early adulthood. The cause of schizophrenia is not known, but there appear to be both genetic (inherited) and environmental components to the disease. Schizophrenia is not caused by abuse or…

Also called scarlet fever, a disease caused by infection with group A streptococcal bacteria that occurs in a small proportion of people with strep throat. The incubation period between contracting strep and the onset of scarlet fever is short, typically 72 hours but may range from 1 to 7 days. Illness usually begins with a fever and sore…

The making of many small, superficial scratches in the skin. Scarification may be done in giving a smallpox vaccination or in removing a tattoo and leaving a scar in its place.