n. a dental X-ray film that provides a view of the crowns of the teeth together with the alveolar bone in part of both upper and lower jaws. This view is used in the diagnosis of caries and periodontal disease (where alveolar bone does not appear on the bite-wing this indicates loss of bony support).
An infectious disease following the bite of a rat. There are two causative organisms – Spirillum minus and Actinobacillus muris – and the incubation period depends upon which is involved. In the case of the former it is 5–30 days; in the case of the latter it is 2–10 days. The disease is characterised by fever, a characteristic skin rash and often muscular or joint pains. It responds well to PENICILLIN.... rat-bite fever
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