Glossary 333 



Paralysis. — A loss of motion or sensation in a living part or mem- 

 ber. 



Pathology. — That branch of medicine which treats especially of the 

 tissue changes caused by disease. 



Pectoral. — Pertaining to the breast or chest. 



Pelvis. — • The girdle or ring of bone at the posterior extremity of 

 the trunk, supporting the spinal column and resting upon the 

 legs. 



Pericardium. — The membranous sac which contains the heart. 



Peristalsis. — The worm-like movements of the intestine and ovi- 

 duct by which the contents of these tubes are propelled. 



Peritonitis. — ■ Inflammation of the peritoneum or the membrane 

 lining the abdominal cavity. 



Pharynx. — • That portion of the aUmentary canal between the mouth 

 and the oesophagus. It also communicates with the larynx 

 and nasal passages at its upper end. 



Pleural. — Pertaining to the serous membrane which covers the 

 lungs. 



Posterior. — Situated behind or towards the rear. 



Post-mortem. — Latin for after death. See autopsy. 



Prognosis. — The prospect as to recovery from a disease or a forecast 

 as to the probable result of an attack of a disease. 



Protoplasm. — A viscid granular material which forms the essential 

 constituent of the living cell. Living substance. 



Protozoa. — A class of unicellular animal micro-organisms. 



Proventriculus. — That portion of a bird's aUmentary canal lying be- 

 tween the crop and the gizzard. Often called the stomach. 



Punctiform hemorrhages. — Presenting the appearance as if punc- 

 tured by a large number of fine prickle or needle holes from 

 which the blood oozes. 



Purgative. — Causing evacuations of the bowels. 



Pycemia. — Blood poison due to microbic origin. 



Sarcoma. — A kind of tumor or cancer not always of a malignant 

 nature. 



Scabies. — A contagious skin disease caused by a mite. 



Sclerotic. — Pertaining to the hard white fibrous membrane which 

 with cornea forms the outermost coats of the eyeball. 



Serum. — The clear liquid which separates from the clot and the 

 corpuscles in the clotting of blood. 



Spleen. — An oval shaped organ normally about one-half inch in 

 diameter and of a dark red color. It lies immediately above 

 the liver and between that and the proventriculus. 



Spirochete. — A protozoon parasite belonging to the genus Spiro- 

 chceta. 



