Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A familiar term for what is medically called an open comedo. A comedo, the primary sign of acne, consists of a widened hair follicle filled with skin debris, bacteria, and oil called sebum. A blackhead has a wide opening to the skin and is capped with a blackened mass of skin debris. In contrast, a closed comedo, commonly called…

In 14th-century Europe, the victims of the “black plague” had bleeding below the skin (subcutaneous hemorrhage) which made darkened (“blackened”) their bodies. Black plague can lead to “black death” characterized by gangrene of the fingers, toes, and nose. Black plague is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) which is transmitted to humans from infected rats by the oriental…

A disease of the lungs that is caused by inhaling coal dust, which in some patients can lead to progressive massive fibrosis of the lungs and severely impaired lung function. Also known as anthracosis and coal miner’s pneumoconiosis.

A tattoo ink and paste consisting of henna with other ingredients added, sometimes including para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Allergic reactions to PPD include a contact dermatitis, itching, blisters, open sores, scarring of the skin . Allergic reactions to PPD may also lead to sensitivity to other products such as hair dye, sun block and some types of black clothing. Also called blue henna.

Bruising of the eyelid and/or the area around the eye as a result of trauma to the eye. Colloquially known as a shiner.

The Medieval black plague that ravaged Europe and killed a third of its population. It was due to the plague which is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) transmitted to humans from infected rats by the oriental rat flea. In 14th-century Europe, the victims of the Black Death had bleeding below the skin (subcutaneous hemorrhage) which darkened (“blackened”) their…

An American of black African descent. The term may also be written with a hyphen as African-American. The term entered into usage largely starting in 1988, when the Rev. Jesse Jackson held a news conference to urge Americans to use it to refer to blacks. African American has largely supplanted black in health matters. For…

Acronym standing for “below knee amputation.” BKA is as opposed to AKA (above knee amputation).