Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Frequency, urinary
Urinating too often, at too frequent intervals, not due to an unusually large volume of urine, but rather to a decrease in the capacity of the bladder to hold urine.
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French disease
Syphilis. Depending upon someone’s thoughts as to where the disease came from, syphilis was also known as the Italian, Spanish, German and Polish disease. The name “syphilis” was coined by Hieronymus Fracastorius (Girolamo Fracastoro). Fracastorius was a true Renaissance man; he wrote on the temperature of wines, the rise of the Nile, poetry, the mind,…
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Freckle
A flat circular spot on the skin about the size of the head of a nail that develops after repeated exposure to sunlight, particularly in someone of fair complexion. Freckles may be yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or black. They are always darker than the skin around them since they are due to deposits of the…
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Frankenfood
Perjorative term for genetically modified food whether it be derived from genetically engineered plants or animals.
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Fracture
A break in bone or cartilage. Although usually a result of trauma, a fracture can be the result of an acquired disease of bone, such as osteoporosis, or of abnormal formation of bone in a congenital disease of bone, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (‘brittle bone disease’). Fractures are classified according to their character and location (for example, greenstick fracture of the radius).
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Fourth stage of labor
The hour or two after delivery when the tone of the uterus is reestablished as the uterus contracts again, expelling any remaining contents. These contractions are hastened by breastfeeding, which stimulates production of the hormone oxytocin.
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Fourth disease
Fourth disease is a disorder characterized by a rash due to a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus bacteria). Measles and scarlet fever were differentiated from one another in the 17th century. Rubella was accepted as the third distinct pediatric exanthem (rash) in 1881. What were thought to be two distinct forms of rubella were then described and it was proposed that one of…
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Formulary
1. A collection of formulas, recipes, or prescriptions. 2. In medicine, a listing of prescription drugs approved for use.
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Formula feeding
Feeding an infant or toddler prepared formula instead of or in addition to breastfeeding. Formula feeding is indicated when the mother has an illness that could be passed on to the baby through breast milk or through the close physical proximity required for breastfeeding. Otherwise, experts in infant nutrition agree that breastfeeding is best.
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Formication
The illusion or hallucination that ants or other insects are creeping on or under the skin. Formication is a feature of some psychotic states as well as drug and alcohol abuse. From the Latin formicatio, from formicare meaning to creep like an ant. Not to be confused with fornication.
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