Death cap Health Dictionary

Death Cap: From 1 Different Sources


Death Cap or other poisoning by fungi. Fungus contains toxic amanitines.

Symptoms: vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain. Leads to rapid liver degeneration.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 3; Goldenseal 1; Myrrh 1. Dose: 30-60 drops every 2 hours. Practitioner. Stomach irrigation. 50mg ampoules of Silymarin (Madaus) injected by a physician. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia

Black Death

An old name for PLAGUE.... black death

Capsule

A term used in several senses in medicine. It is applied to a soluble case, usually of gelatine, for enclosing small doses of unpleasant medicine.

Enteric-coated capsules, which have been largely superseded by enteric-coated tablets, are capsules treated in such a manner that the ingredients do not come in contact with the acid stomach contents but are only released when the capsule disintegrates in the alkaline contents of the intestine.

The term is also applied to the ?brous or membranous envelope of various organs, as of the spleen, liver or kidney. Additionally, it is applied to the ligamentous bag surrounding various joints and attached by its edge to the bones on either side.... capsule

Cot Death

See SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS).... cot death

Captopril

An ACE-inhibitor drug introduced for the treatment of patients with severe HYPERTENSION. It acts by lowering the concentration in the blood of angiotensin II which is one of the factors responsible for high blood pressure. (See ANGIOTENSIN; RENIN.)... captopril

Death Rate

The proportion of deaths in a specified population. The death rate is calculated by dividing the number of deaths in a population in a year by the midyear resident population. Death rates are often expressed as the number of deaths per 100 000 persons. The rate may be restricted to deaths in specific age, race, sex, or geographic groups or deaths from specific causes of death (specific rate), or it may be related to the entire population (crude rate).... death rate

Death

“Death is often, at the start, in a particular organ, i.e. local. If the part can be saved in time life may be preserved. At the approach of death the value of a particular organ strikes one forcibly. There may be no need for constitutional medication. The one suffering part may be the whole case. In many chronic cases certain organs claim and must have special attention.” (Dr J. Compton Burnet)

Most important of such organs are the heart, which can be sustained by a few grains of Cayenne; the brain (Ginkgo, Skullcap, Kola); stomach (Peppermint); liver (Dandelion); spleen (New Jersey tea). See: LIFE DROPS.

When all desire for food has ceased, sips of honey-water or Balm tea sweetened with honey offer a comforting and sustaining support. ... death

Accidental Death

In 2000, more than 12,000 people died in or as a result of accidents in the UK, nearly half occurring at home and around a third in motor vehicle incidents. Many of these deaths would have been preventable, had appropriate safety measures been taken. A high proportion of deaths from accidents occur in males between ?ve and 34 years of age; alcohol is a signi?cant factor. Since the introduction of compulsory use of car seatbelts in the UK in the 1980s, the incidence of deaths from driving has fallen. With employers more aware of the risks of injury and death in the work place – with legislation reinforcing education – the number of such incidents has fallen over the past 50 years or more: this group now accounts for less than 2 per cent of all accidental deaths. Accidental deaths in the elderly are mainly caused by falls, mostly at home. In infants, choking is a signi?cant cause of accidental death, with food and small objects presenting the main hazards. Poisoning (often from drug overdose) and drowning are notable causes between the mid-20s and mid-40s.

See www.rospa.com... accidental death

Capd

Chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis – an outpatient technique for treating failure of the KIDNEYS. (See HAEMODIALYSIS.)... capd

Capillaries

The minute vessels which join the ends of the arteries to venules, the tiny commencement of veins. Their walls consist of a single layer of ?ne, ?at, transparent cells, bound together at the edges, and the vessels form a meshwork all through the tissues of the body, bathing the latter in blood with only the thin capillary wall interposed, through which gases and ?uids readily pass. These vessels are less than 0·025 mm in width.... capillaries

Caput Succedaneum

Usually shortened by obstetricians to ‘caput’, this is the temporary swelling which is sometimes found on the head of the newborn infant. It is due to OEDEMA in and around the scalp, caused by pressure on the head as the child is born. It is of no signi?cance and quickly disappears spontaneously.... caput succedaneum

Vital Capacity

The amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after a deep inspiration. (See RESPIRATION.)... vital capacity

Brain Death

The irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain, including the brainstem. (See also death.)... brain death

Capsulitis

Inflammation of a capsule around an organ or joint, for example as occurs in frozen shoulder.... capsulitis

Death, Sudden

If deaths from accidents are excluded, this term means the unexpected death of an apparently healthy person. CARDIAC ARREST is the most common cause of sudden death. Older people (35 years or above) who suffer cardiac arrest commonly have coronary artery disease (see HEART, DISEASES OF) with restriction or stoppage of blood supply to part of the heart which causes INFARCTION (heart attack). Irregularity of the heartbeat (cardiac ARRHYTHMIA) is another cause. MYOCARDITIS, PNEUMONIA and STROKE can also result in sudden death, as can ASTHMA, anaphylactic shock (see ANAPHYLAXIS), ruptured aortic ANEURYSM and SUICIDE, the incidence of which is rising, especially among young people, and is over 4,000 a year in the UK.

Sudden death sometimes occurs in infants, usually in the ?rst year of life: this is called SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS) or, colloquially, cot death, the possible causes of which are an ongoing subject for research and debate.

When a person dies unexpectedly the event must be reported to a CORONER, who has the power to decide whether an AUTOPSY is necessary.... death, sudden

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The sudden, unexpected death of an infant that cannot be explained.

Possible risk factors include: laying the baby face-down to sleep; overheating; parental smoking after the birth; prematurity and low birth weight; and poor socioeconomic background.

Preventive measures include: ensuring that the baby sleeps on its back at the foot of the cot; regulating the baby’s temperature (using the same amount of clothing and blankets that an adult would need); and stopping smoking.... sudden infant death syndrome

Capillary

Any of the vessels that carry blood between the smallest arteries, or arterioles, and the smallest veins, or venules (see circulatory system). Capillaries form a fine network throughout the body’s organs and tissues. Their thin walls are permeable and allow blood and cells to exchange constituents such as oxygen, glucose, carbon dioxide, and water (see respiration). Capillaries open and close to blood flow according to the requirements of different organs. The opening and closing of skin capillaries helps to regulate temperature.

A direct blow to the body may rupture the thin capillary walls, causing bleeding under the surface of the skin, which in turn causes swelling and bruising. Increasing age, high doses of corticosteroid drugs, and scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) make capillaries more fragile; a tendency to purpura (small areas of bleeding under the skin) may develop.... capillary

Adiantum Capillus-veneris

Linn.

Family: Adiantaceae.

Habitat: All along the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim between altitudes of 1,800 and 2,700 m.

English: American Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair, Rock Fern.

Ayurvedic: Hansaraaja, Hansapadi (related sp.).

Unani: Parsiaavashaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Seruppadai.

Folk: Mubaaraka.

Action: Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, antitussive, stimulant, emmenagogue. Fonds used in chronic catarrh (as an ingredient of cough and bronchial medicines); also in cold imposthumes of uterus, hard swellings and hard tumours of spleen, liver and other viscera.

The fern contains flavonoid gluco- sides, including rutin, isoquercetin, as- tragalin, kaempferol; hydroxycinnam- ic acid esters; terpenoids, including adiantone.... adiantum capillus-veneris

B Nosed. The Test For Brain-stem Death Are:

Fixed dilated pupils of the eyes

Absent CORNEAL REFLEX

Absent VESTIBULO-OCULAR REFLEX

No cranial motor response to somatic (physical) stimulation

Absent gag and cough re?exes

No respiratory e?ort in response to APNOEA despite adequate concentrations of CARBON DIOXIDE in the arterial blood.... b nosed. the test for brain-stem death are:

Brain-stem Death

Brain damage, resulting in the irreversible loss of brain function, renders the individual incapable of life without the aid of a VENTILATOR. Criteria have been developed to recognise that ‘death’ has occurred and to allow ventilation to be stopped: in the UK, these criteria require the patient to be irreversibly unconscious and unable to regain the capacity to breathe spontaneously. (See also GLASGOW COMA SCALE and PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE (PVS).)

All reversible pharmacological, metabolic, endocrine and physiological causes must be excluded, and there should be no doubt that irreversible brain damage has occurred. Two senior doctors carry out diagnostic tests to con?rm that brain-stem re?exes are absent. These tests must be repeated after a suitable interval before death can be declared. Imaging techniques are not required for death to be diag-... brain-stem death

Brood Capsule

A small cyst attached to a germinal layer of the hydatid, containing many protoscolices.... brood capsule

Buccal Capsule

The thickening of the cuticular lining of buccal cavity; buccal capsule may be large, small, vestigial or absent. In some nematodes, the cuticle lining within the buccal capsule may be modified to be chitinous teeth or cutting plates as in Ancylostomatidae or a stylet as in Trichinelloidea.... buccal capsule

Capeka

(Slavic) Resembling a young stork Capekah, Capecca, Capeccah... capeka

Capelta

(American) A fanciful woman... capelta

Caper

Potency, Lust, Luck... caper

Capillaria

A genus of nematode which includes Capillaria hepatica and C. philippinensis both of which can infect humans.... capillaria

Capillary Return

A test for the adequacy of blood circulation by pressing on the skin and seeing how long it takes for the colour to return. (See PERFUSION.)... capillary return

Capita

(Latin) An intelligent and superior woman

Capitah, Capyta, Capeta, Capeeta, Capieta, Capeita, Capta, Capytah, Capetah, Capeetah, Capietah, Capeitah, Capeata, Capeatah... capita

Capital

Fixed or durable non-labour inputs or factors used in the production of goods and services, the value of such factors, or the money specifically allocated for their acquisition or development. Capital costs include, for example, the buildings, beds and equipment used in the provision of hospital services. Capital assets are usually thought of as permanent and durable, as distinguished from consumables, such as supplies.... capital

Capital Depreciation

The decline in value of capital assets (assets of a permanent or fixed nature, such as goods and plant) with use over time. The rate and amount of depreciation is calculated by a variety of different methods (e.g. straight line, sum of the digits, declining balance), which often give quite different results.... capital depreciation

Capital Expenditure

Expenditure for the acquisition, replacement, modernization or expansion of facilities or equipment which, under generally accepted accounting principles, is not properly chargeable as an expense of operation and maintenance.... capital expenditure

Capitation

A method of payment for health care services in which an individual or institutional provider is paid a fixed amount for each person served in a set period of time, without regard to the actual number or nature of services provided to each person.... capitation

Caplice

(American) One who is spontaneous Caplise, Capleece, Capleese, Capliece, Capliese, Capleice, Capleise, Capleace, Caplease... caplice

Caplllary

The smallest blood or lymph vessel, formed of single layers of interconnected endothelial cells, sometimes with loosely attached connective tissue basement cells for added support. Capillaries allow the transport across their membranes and between their crevices of diffusible nutrients and waste products. Blood capillaries expand and contract, depending upon how much blood is needed in a given tissue and how much is piped into them by the small feeder arteries upstream. They further maintain a strong repelling charge that keeps blood proteins and red blood cells pushed into the center of the flow. Lymph capillaries have many open crypts, allowing free absorption of interstitial fluid forced out of the blood; these capillaries tend to maintain a charge that attracts bits of cellular garbage too large to return through the membranes of exiting venous capillaries.... caplllary

Capote

(Spanish) One who is protected; wearing a cloak... capote

Capparis Aphylla

Roth.

Synonym: C. decidua Edgew.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Rajasthan, Punjab and Sindh; southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

English: Caper Berry.

Ayurvedic: Karira, Krakar, Apatra, Granthila, Marubhoo-ruuha, Niguudhapatra, Karila.

Unani: Kabar, Kabar-ul-Hind, Kabar-e-Hindi; Tenti.

Siddha/Tamil: Chhengan.

Folk: Tenti.

Action: Anti-inflammatory (used for enlarged cervical glands, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis; externally on swellings, skin eruptions, ringworm). Fruits and seeds—used for urinary purulent discharges and dysentery. Flowers and seeds— antimicrobial. The fruit is used as a pickle.

The root bark contains spermidine alkaloids, used for inflammations, asthma and gout.

Activity of the seed volatiles against vibro cholerae has been recorded.

Aqueous extract of the plant exhibits anthelmintic activity; seeds contain antibacterial principles—glucocapparin; isothiocynate aglycone of glucocap- parin.

The blanched fruits, when fed to rats at 10% dietary fibre level, showed a significant hypocholesterolaemic effect, which is attributed to its hemicel- lose content.

Pickled fruits are use for destroying intestinal worms.

Dosage: Leaf, root—50-125 mg (CCRAS.)

Folk: Hains, Kanthaar.

Action: Antiseptic, antipyretic. Used for eczema and scabies.

Leaves contain taraxasterol, alpha- and beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol, erythrodiol and betulin.

Dosage: Root—5-10 g powder. (CCRAS.)... capparis aphylla

Capparis Sepiaria

Linn.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Dry regions of the country, also planted as a hedge plant.

English: Indian Caper.

Ayurvedic: Himsraa, Gridhnakhi, Duh-pragharshaa, Kaakdaani, Kabara, Kanthaari.

Siddha/Tamil: Karunjurai.

Family: Cappariadaceae.

Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region. Distributed in North-west India, Rajasthan, and Peninsular India.

English: Caper Bush.

Ayurvedic: Himsraa, Kaakdaani, Kabara.

Unani: Kabar.

Action: Anti-inflammatory, deob- struent to liver and spleen, diuretic, anthelmintic, vasoconstrictive. Bark—given in splenic, renal and hepatic complaints. Juice of leaves and fruits—anticystic, bactericidal and fungicidal. Dried flower buds— used in scurvy.

Plant gave glucosinolates—glucoi- berin, glucocapparin, sinigrin, gluco- cleomin and glucocapangatin. Rutin has also been reported from plant. The root bark, cortex and leaves gave stachydrine. Stachydrine, when given to dogs, rabbits and rats, quickened the coagulation of blood and reduced loss of blood.... capparis sepiaria

Capparis Spinosa

Linn.

Capparis moonii Wight.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Indigenous to New Zealand. Now distributed in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Ayurvedic: Rudanti.

Action: Fruit—used in puerperal sepsis and septic wounds, also for debility and cough.

EtOH (50%) extract of aerial parts is CNS depressant.

Fruits contain l-stachydrine, rutin and beta-sitosterol.... capparis spinosa

Capparis Zeylanica

Linn.

Synonym: C. horrida Linn.f.

Family: Cappariadaceae.

Habitat: Common in plains as a hedge plant.

English: Ceylon Caper.

Ayurvedic: Ahimsra (Himsraa and Ahimsra are synonyms). Vyaaghranakhi.

Siddha/Tamil: Aathondai.

Folk: Kareruaa.

Action: Root bark—sedative, stomachic, anticholerin, diuretic febrifuge. Leaves—applied as poultice to piles, swellings, boils.

The plant contains a saponin and p- hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vanillic, fer- ulic and p-coumaric acids. The leaves contain beta-carotene. The leaves and seeds contain glucocapparin, alpha- amyrin, n-triacontane and a fixed oil.

Aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity.... capparis zeylanica

Caprice

(Italian) One who is impulsive and unpredictable

Capri, Capricia, Capriana, Caprina, Capryce, Caprise, Capryse... caprice

Capricorn

(Latin) The tenth sign of the zodiac; the goat... capricorn

Caprina

(Italian) Woman of the island Capri

Caprinah, Caprinna, Capryna, Capreena, Caprena, Capreenah, Carpynah, Capriena, Caprienah, Capreina, Capreinah, Capreana, Capreanah... caprina

Capsella Bursa-pastoris

(Linn.) Moench.

Family: Cruciferae; Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India as a weed in cultivated areas and waste places, particularly in the temperate regions up to an altitude of 4,200 m.

English: Shepherd's Purse, St. James's Wort.

Folk: Mumiri.

Action: The herb or its juice extracts are employed to check menorrhagia and haemorrhages from renal and genitourinary tract. Also used in diarrhoea and dysentery and as a diuretic.

Key application: In symptom-based treatment of mild menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. (German Commission E.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported antihaem- orrhagic action.

Aerial parts contain flavonoids, polypeptides, choline, acetylcholine, histamine and tyramine.

The extract of dried or green plant causes strong contraction of the small intestines and uterus of guinea pigs. A quarternary ammonium salt has been isolated from the herb which is reported to be responsible for its pharmacological activity.

Young leaves contain vitamin A (5,000 IU/100 g) and ascorbic acid (91 mg/100 g); among other constituents are hesperidin and rutin, which reduced permeability of blood vessel walls in white mice. A neoplasm inhibitory substance has been identified as fumaric acid. An inhibitory effect of the extracts of the herb on Ehrlich solid tumour in mice was found to be due to the fumaric acid.

Major constituent of the essential oil is camphor.... capsella bursa-pastoris

Capsicum Annuum

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Native to the West Indies and tropical America; now cultivated throughout tropical regions of India.

English: Chilli, Red Pepper.

Ayurvedic: Raktamaricha, Lankaa, Katuviraa.

Unani: Mirch, Filfil-e-Ahmar, Filfl-e-Surkh, Surkh Mirch.

Siddha/Tamil: Milagay.

Action: Stimulant, accelerates oxygenation of cells, encourages adrenal glands to produce corticos- teroids, increases gastrointestinal secretion. Carminative, antispas- modic, antiseptic. Used externally for rheumatism, backache, lumbago, neuralgia, painful muscle spasm.

Red chilli contains capsaicin (0.11.5%), carotenoids, flavonoids, volatile oil; steroidal saponins (capsicidins, only in seeds).

Capsaicin stimulates the circulation and alters temperature regulation; topically desensitizes nerve endings and acts as a local analgesic.

Capsaicin produces a protective effect in rat lung and liver by strengthening the pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defence system. Acute capsaicin treatment causes release of substance desensitization of the respiratory tract mucosa to a variety of lung irritants.

Red pepper or an equivalent amount of capsaicin, when fed along with cholesterol-containing diets to female albino rats, prevented significantly the rise of liver cholesterol levels.

Vitamin P has been isolated from the chillies. Vitamin C gradually increases during maturation and reaches maximum at the semi-ripe or pink coloured stage and decreases thereafter.

Capsaicin exhibited a hypoglycae- mic effect in dogs; insulin release was increased. (Phytother Res, 2001, Aug 15(5), 391-4.)

Dosage: Fruit—30-60 mg powder. (CCRAS.)... capsicum annuum

Capucina

(French) Resembling the watercress Capucine, Capucinia, Capucinea... capucina

Capsicum Frutescens

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as a condiment crop.

English: Bird Chilli.

Ayurvedic: Katuviraa.

Unani: Surkh Mirch.

Siddha/Tamil: Musi Milagay.

Action: See Capsicum annuum.

Key application: Externally, in painful muscle spasms in areas of shoulder, arm and spine; for treating arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago and chilbains. (German Commission E.) The British Pharmacopoeia reported rubefacient and vasostimulant action.

The plant contains hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid and ascorbic acid. Fruits contain up to 1% of capsaicin.... capsicum frutescens

Caput Medusae (medusa’s Head)

The term describing the abnormally dilated veins that form around the umbilicus in CIRRHOSIS of the liver.... caput medusae (medusa’s head)

Cause Of Death

For the purpose of national mortality statistics, every death is attributed to one underlying condition, based on information reported on the death certificate and using the international rules for selecting the underlying cause of death from the reported conditions. See “International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision (ICD-10)”.... cause of death

Cause-of-death Ranking

Cause-of-death ranking for adults is based on the List of 72 Selected Causes of Death, HIV Infection, and Alzheimer’s Disease. The List was adapted from one of the special lists for mortality tabulations recommended for use with the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision. Two group titles – “Major cardiovascular diseases” and “Symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions” – are not ranked based on the list of 72 selected causes. In addition, category titles that begin with the words “other” and “all other” are not ranked. The remaining category titles are ranked according to number of deaths to determine the leading causes of death. When one of the titles that represents a subtotal is ranked (for example, unintentional injuries), its component parts are not ranked (in this case, motor vehicle crashes and all other unintentional injuries).... cause-of-death ranking

Corchorus Capsularis

Linn.

Family: Tiliaceae.

Habitat: Throughout warmer parts of India; extensively cultivated in West Bengal.

English: White Jute.

Ayurvedic: Kaala shaaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Pirattai-keerai.

Folk: Naadi shaaka, Narichaa. Titapat (Bengal).

Action: Leaves—stomachic, carminative, diuretic, antidysenteric (dried leaves). Seeds—purgative.

Seeds contain cardiac glycosides. These include two monosides, helveti- coside and corchoroside A and two polar glycosides, erysimoside and olitori- side. Leaves contain beta-sitosterol- glucoside. Corchoroside A exhibited cardiotonic properties.

The aqueous/alcoholic extracts, containing polysaccharides, may be used in preparations of skin cosmetics or hair preparations for their moisturizing effect.... corchorus capsularis

Death Certificate

A certi?cate required by law to be signed by a medical practitioner stating the main and any contributary causes of a person’s death.... death certificate

Egg Capsule

A membranous structure containing eggs of a tapeworm, in the absence of uterus (e.g. in Dipylidium caninum).... egg capsule

Human Capital

Human skills and capabilities generated by investments in education and health.... human capital

Plumbago Capensis

Thunb.

Synonym: P. auriculata Lam.

Family: Plumbaginaceae.

Habitat: Native to South Africa; grown in gardens in India.

Ayurvedic: Nila-chitraka (blue- flowered var.). (Bears pale-blue flowers.)

Action: See P. zeylanica.... plumbago capensis

Social Capital

Kin and other sources of support available to an individual.... social capital

Wild Caper

Capparis aphylla

Description: This is a thorny shrub that loses its leaves during the dry season. Its stems are gray-green and its flowers pink.

Habitat and Distribution: These shrubs form large stands in scrub and thorn forests and in desert scrub and waste. They are common throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

Edible Parts: The fruit and the buds of young shoots are edible raw.... wild caper

Death, Causes Of

The ?nal cause of death is usually the failure of the vital centres in the brain that control the beating of the heart and the act of breathing. The important practical question, however, is what disease, injury or other agent has led to this failure. Sometimes the cause may be obvious – for example, pneumonia, coronary thrombosis, or brain damage in a road accident. Often, however, the cause can be uncertain, in which case a POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION is necessary.

The two most common causes of death in the UK are diseases of the circulatory system (including strokes and heart disease) and cancer.

Overall annual death rates among women in the UK at the start of the 21st century were

7.98 per 1,000 population, and among men,

5.58 per 1,000. Comparable ?gures at the start of the 20th century were 16.3 for women and

18.4 for men. The death rates in 1900 among infants up to the age of four were 47.9 per 1,000 females and 57 per 1,000 males. By 2003 these numbers had fallen to 5.0 and 5.8 respectively. All these ?gures give a crude indication of how the health of Britain’s population has improved in the past century.

Death rates and ?gures on the causes of deaths are essential statistics in the study of EPIDEMIOLOGY which, along with information on the incidence of illnesses and injuries, provides a temporal and geographical map of changing health patterns in communities. Such information is valuable in planning preventive health measures (see PUBLIC HEALTH) and in identifying the natural history of diseases – knowledge that often contributes to the development of preventive measures and treatments for those diseases.... death, causes of

Death, Signs Of

There are some minor signs, such as: relaxation of the facial muscles (which produces the staring eye and gaping mouth of the ‘Hippocratic countenance’), as well as a loss of the curves of the back, which becomes ?at by contact with the bed or table; discoloration of the skin, which takes on a wax-yellow hue and loses its pink transparency at the ?nger-webs; absence of blistering and redness if the skin is burned (Christison’s sign); and failure of a ligature tied round the ?nger to produce, after its removal, the usual change of a white ring, which, after a few seconds, becomes redder than the surrounding skin in a living person.

The only certain sign of death, however, is that the heart has stopped beating. To ensure that this is permanent, it is necessary to listen over the heart with a stethoscope, or directly with the ear, for at least ?ve minutes. Permanent stoppage of breathing should also be con?rmed by observing that a mirror held before the mouth shows no haze, or that a feather placed on the upper lip does not ?utter.

In the vast majority of cases there is no dif?culty in ensuring that death has occurred. The introduction of organ transplantation, however, and of more e?ective mechanical means of resuscitation, such as ventilators, whereby an individual’s heart can be kept beating almost inde?nitely, has raised diffculties in a minority of cases. To solve the problem in these cases the concept of ‘brain death’ has been introduced. In this context it has to be borne in mind that there is no legal de?nition of death. Death has traditionally been diagnosed by the irreversible cessation of respiration and heartbeat. In the Code of Practice drawn up in 1983 by a Working Party of the Health Departments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, however, it is stated that ‘death can also be diagnosed by the irreversible cessation of brain-stem function’. This is described as ‘brain death’. The brain stem consists of the mid-brain, pons and medulla oblongata which contain the centres controlling the vital processes of the body such as consciousness, breathing and the beating of the heart (see BRAIN). This new concept of death, which has been widely accepted in medical and legal circles throughout the world, means that it is now legitimate to equate brain death with death; that the essential component of brain death is death of the brain stem; and that a dead brain stem can be reliably diagnosed at the bedside. (See GLASGOW COMA SCALE.)

Four points are important in determining the time that has elapsed since death. HYPOSTASIS, or congestion, begins to appear as livid spots on the back, often mistaken for bruises, three hours or more after death. This is due to the blood running into the vessels in the lowest parts. Loss of heat begins at once after death, and the body has become as cold as the surrounding air after 12 hours – although this is delayed by hot weather, death from ASPHYXIA, and some other causes. Rigidity, or rigor mortis, begins in six hours, takes another six to become fully established, remains for 12 hours and passes o? during the succeeding 12 hours. It comes on quickly when extreme exertion has been indulged in immediately before death; conversely it is slow in onset and slight in death from wasting diseases, and slight or absent in children. It begins in the small muscles of the eyelid and jaw and then spreads over the body. PUTREFACTION is variable in time of onset, but usually begins in 2–3 days, as a greenish tint over the abdomen.... death, signs of

Working Capital

The sum of the institution’s short-term or current assets, including cash, marketable (short-term) securities, accounts receivable and inventories. Net working capital is defined as the excess of total current assets over total current liabilities.... working capital

Capricin

A caprylic acid formulation that facilitates absorption of calcium and magnesium. Occurs naturally in mother’s milk. Antibacterial and antifungal properties. Like fish oils (EPA) this preparation, extracted from coconut, inhibits clumping of platelets and is effective against the organisms of Candida, rhodotorulla, etc. Taken with a yeast-free and sugar-free diet for Candida. This, and other caprylic formulations, are sometimes used as an alternative to Nystatin. ... capricin

Capgras’ Syndrome

The delusion that a relative or friend has been replaced by an identical impostor. Also known as the

“illusion of doubles’’, the syndrome is seen most frequently in paranoid schizophrenia, but also occurs in organic brain disorders (see brain syndrome, organic) and affective disorders.... capgras’ syndrome

Capping, Dental

See crown, dental.... capping, dental

Ipomoea Pes-caprae

(Linn.) Sweet.

Synonym: I. biloba Forsk.

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Near sea, especially on the West Coast.

English: Goat's Foot Creeper.

Ayurvedic: Chhagalaantri, Mar- yaada-valli.

Siddha/Tamil: Adambu, Attukkal, Musattalai.

Action: Astringent, stomachic, laxative, antidiarrhoeal, antiemetic, analgesic. Leaf—diuretic, anti- inflammatory. Used in colic, prolapsus ani; externally in rheumatism. Essential oil of leaves— antagonistic to histamine. Leaf extract is used for different types of inflammations including injuries caused by poisonous jelly-fish.

Clinical trials have proved that an extract (IPA) inhibited the action of jelly-fish toxins. Its topical application inhibited carrageenan-induced paw and ear oedema induced by arachi- donic acid or ethyl phenylpropionate in rats. The crude extract of leaves also show inhibitory effect on prostaglan- din synthesis in vitro.

Crude extract (IPA) of the leaves has also been shown to antagonize smooth muscle contraction induced by several agonists via non-specific mechanism. Antispasmodic isoprenoids, beta-damascenone and E-phytol have been isolated from the extract. The an- tispasmodic activity was found to be in the same range as that of papaverine.

The alcoholic extract of leaves showed insulinogenic and hypogly- caemic activities in rats, comparable to the hypoglycaemic drug chlor- propamide.

The leaves and seeds contain indole alkaloid. Plant also contains a steroid, an amide, pentatriacontane, triacon- tane, volatile oil and behenic, melissic, butyric and myristic acids.... ipomoea pes-caprae

Salix Caprea

Linn.

Family: Salicaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

English: Sallow, Goat Willow, Common Willow.

Ayurvedic: Vetasa, Vaanira, Vidula, Vanjula, Vaanjulaa. In Kerala Homonoia riparia Lour., Euphorbiaceae, is used as Vetasa or Jalavetasa.

Unani: Bed Mushk.

Action: Distilled water from flowers—cordial, stimulant; externally applied to headache. Stem and leaves—astringent. Leaves—decoction used as febrifuge. Bark and twigs—astringent, applied to piles. Ash of wood—used in haemoptysis; mixed with vinegar, applied to piles.

Alkaloids, glycosides and saponins of male racemes increase the amplitude and slow the heartbeat and act more rapidly than digitalis on isolated frog heart.

Flavonoids present in the male racemes are: diometin, isorhamnetin, cap- reoside and salicapreoside.

Phenol glycosides present in the bark are: delphinidin, cyanidin, pipe- colic acid, fragilin, picein, salicin, sal- icortin, salireproside, triandrin and vimalin. Tannin content is reported to be 8-13%.

Salix daphnoides Vill. and Salix ele- gans Wall. (The Himalayas from Kash mir to Nepal) are also known as Jalave- tasa.

Dosage: Leaf, bark, root—50- 100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... salix caprea

Caput

The Latin word for head.

The term is commonly used to refer to the caput succedaneum, a soft, temporary swelling in the scalp of newborn babies, caused by pressure during labour.

Caput is also used to refer to the face, skull, and associated organs, to the origin of a muscle, or to any enlarged extremity, such as the caput femoris, the head of the femur (thigh bone).... caput

Death, Sudden Infant

See sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).... death, sudden infant

Sudden Death

See death, sudden.... sudden death

Adhesive Capsulitis

see frozen shoulder.... adhesive capsulitis

Bowman’s Capsule

the cup-shaped end of a *nephron, which encloses a knot of blood capillaries (glomerulus). It is the site of primary filtration of the blood into the kidney tubule. [Sir W. P. Bowman (1816–92), British physician]... bowman’s capsule

Capecitabine

n. a drug of the *fluoropyrimidine class that is used in treatment of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer. Side-effects may include blood disorders (see myelosuppression) and mouth ulcers.... capecitabine

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (sids)

Sudden infant death syndrome, or cot death, refers to the unexpected death – usually during sleep – of an apparently healthy baby. Well over 1,500 such cases are thought to have occurred in the United Kingdom each year until 1992, when government advice was issued about laying babies on their backs. The ?gure was 192 in 2002 and continues to fall. Boys are affected more than girls, and over half of these deaths occur at the age of 2–6 months. More common in lower social classes, the incidence is highest in the winter; most of the infants have been bottle-fed (see also INFANT FEEDING).

Causes These are unknown, with possible multiple aetiology. Prematurity and low birth-weight may play a role. The sleeping position of a baby and an over-warm environment may be major factors, since deaths have fallen sharply since mothers were o?cially advised to place babies on their backs and not to overheat them. Some deaths are probably the result of respiratory infections, usually viral, which may stop breathing in at-risk infants, while others may result from the infant becoming smothered in a soft pillow. Faults in the baby’s central breathing control system (central APNOEA) may be a factor. Other possible factors include poor socioeconomic environment; vitamin E de?ciency; or smoking, drug addiction or anaemia in the mother. Help and advice may be obtained from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths and the Cot Death Society.... sudden infant death syndrome (sids)

Capillary Fragility

A deficiency of Vitamins C or E allows cells to deteriorate, thus weakening capillary walls and placing them at risk of being broken, severed or mashed; with subsequent clot formation, bruising, nose-bleeds, bleeding gums or petechia (small spots due to effusion of blood under the skin).

Large amounts of Vitamins C and E may be given for this condition without toxicity.

Alternatives. Teas. Dried leaves. Buckwheat. Heartsease. Marigold. Yarrow, Butcher’s Broom, Red Vine. One, or more in combination.

Tablets/capsules. Rutin (Buckwheat). Hawthorn, Motherwort.

Tinctures. Formula. Hawthorn 1; Marigold 1; Yarrow 2. One 5ml teaspoon thrice daily.

Dr Alfred Vogel. Yarrow 42; Horse Chestnut 30; St John’s Wort 21; Arnica 7.

BHP (1983). “Fagopyrum (Buckwheat) combines well with Vitamin C in reducing capillary permeability.”

Diet. Low fat. Low salt. High fibre. Bilberries.

Supplementation. Vitamin C 500mg daily. Vitamin E 400iu daily.

See also: CIRCULATION. PHLEBITIS. BRUISES, etc. ... capillary fragility

Capsicum

See: CAYENNE.

CAPSULES. A convenient vehicle for administration of powders, seeds, oils, balsams, Castor oil, Garlic, Rose Hip, etc, having the advantage to mask nasty tasting or smelly medicines. Ideal for regulating dosage for children. Swallowed, they soon reach the stomach where their contents are slowly released. Gelatin capsules are of animal origin but cellulose non-animal materials are available. Their use extends also to gynaecological and rectal problems, inserted into the vagina or anus.

Standard sizes range from size 5 to 000. Size 00 is most popular in European pharmacy. See: POWDERS.

To fill empty capsules, take apart the two sections, ‘dab’ open end into powder on a flat surface; fill to capacity and affix unfilled half-shell. Manufacturers use a special filling machine for this purpose.

Patients should remain standing for at least 90 seconds after taking capsules, and followed up with sips of water. Swallowing failure is possible when capsules are taken in the recumbent position when they may adhere to the oesophageal membrane delaying disintegration time.

Equipment suppliers: capsules and capsule-making machines – Dav-Caps, PO Box 11, Monmouth, Gwent NP5 3NX. Also: The Herbal Apothecary, 120 High Street, Syston, Leicester 1E7 8GC. ... capsicum

Capgras’ Syndrome

(illusion of doubles) the delusion that a person closely involved with the patient has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. It is often, but not necessarily, a symptom of paranoid *schizophrenia. [J. M. J. Capgras (1873–1950), French psychiatrist]... capgras’ syndrome

Capillary Refill Time

a quickly performed test to assess the adequacy of circulation in an individual with poor cardiac output. An area of skin is pressed firmly by (say) a fingertip until it loses its colour; the number of seconds for the area to return to its original colour indicates capillary refill time. Normal capillary refill takes around 2 seconds. Slow capillary refill may occur globally in an individual with poor circulation or in a small area (e.g. a toe) in which local circulation is compromised (due, for example, to peripheral vascular disease). This test may not be very useful in people with dark skin.... capillary refill time

Capitate

adj. head-shaped; having a rounded extremity.... capitate

Capitate Bone

the largest bone of the wrist (see carpus). It articulates with the scaphoid and lunate bones behind, with the second, third, and fourth metacarpal bones in front, and with the trapezoid and hamate laterally.... capitate bone

Capitellum

n. see capitulum.... capitellum

Capitulum

n. the small rounded end of a bone that articulates with another bone. For example, the capitulum humeri (or capitellum) is the round prominence at the elbow end of the humerus that articulates with the radius.... capitulum

Capacity

n. the state of being able to make decisions about one’s medical care, i.e. to consent to or to refuse treatment. The law, by virtue of the *Mental Capacity Act 2005, requires that to assess capacity doctors should evaluate whether a patient can comprehend, retain, and weigh up information in the balance such as to make a considered decision that can be communicated. The patient must understand the nature, purpose, and possible consequences of having and not having investigations or treatments. Capacity is often impaired in such conditions as stroke, dementia, learning disability, mental illness, and intoxication with illicit substances. The term competence is often used as a synonym, but since the Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force capacity is the preferred term. See also incompetence. —capacitous adj.... capacity

Capping

n. (in dentistry) 1. a colloquial term for crowning: the technique of fitting a tooth with an artificial *crown. 2. see pulp capping.... capping

Capreomycin

n. an antibiotic, derived from the bacterium Streptomyces capreolus, that is used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is given with other antituberculosis drugs to reduce the development of resistance by the infective bacteria. The more serious side-effects include ear and kidney damage.... capreomycin

Capsule Endoscopy

see video capsule endoscopy.... capsule endoscopy

Capsulorrhexis

n. a continuous tear made in the lens capsule of the eye. In anterior capsulorrhexis, performed during cataract surgery, the tear is made in the anterior surface of the capsule. It has the advantage over a *capsulotomy in making the residual capsule much more resilient to being torn during surgery.... capsulorrhexis

Capsulotomy

n. an incision made in the capsule of the lens. In posterior capsulotomy a hole is made in the centre of the posterior capsule using a *YAG laser, thus providing a clear path for light rays to reach the retina. The laser light is aimed using a modified slit-lamp microscope from outside the eye.... capsulotomy

Death Certificate

a legal document, signed by a doctor, stating (in Part 1) the immediate cause of a person’s death followed by diseases underlying the condition. For example, if the immediate cause of death was a myocardial infarction, the underlying disease might have been ischaemic heart disease or hypertension. Other diseases, which were not directly linked with the immediate cause of death but may have contributed to the patient’s overall condition, are mentioned in Part 2 of the certificate. The document usually states the decedent’s gender and date and place of death; other details, such as occupation, may also be included. The death certificate forms a vital record in most countries throughout the world; without a death certificate, there can be no funeral. For England and Wales, this information is held at the General Register Office, which is now in Southport. In Scotland death certificates are kept at the National Records of Scotland, and in Northern Ireland at the General Register Office for Northern Ireland. Following the case of the serial killer Dr Harold Shipman and the subsequent public enquiry, legislation has introduced greater checks on, and scrutiny of, death certification by doctors.... death certificate

Early Neonatal Death

see perinatal mortality rate.... early neonatal death

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate

(IMCA) a person who must, by virtue of the *Mental Capacity Act 2005, be contacted to represent the *best interests of a patient who lacks *capacity and has no family or friends while acting as a proxy in medical decision-making. IMCAs are available via the local Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service.... independent mental capacity advocate

Intrauterine Fetal Death

death of a fetus in the uterus after 24 weeks of gestation. See stillbirth.... intrauterine fetal death

Late Neonatal Death

death of a baby between 7 and 27 completed days of life.... late neonatal death

Maternal Death

deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of the pregnancy from any cause related to, or aggravated by, the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. These deaths can be subdivided into four main categories: (1) direct deaths: directly related to pregnancy; (2) indirect deaths: due to pre-existing maternal disease aggravated by pregnancy; (3) coincidental: unrelated to pregnancy; (4) late deaths: occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery. See also maternal mortality rate.... maternal death

Mental Capacity Act 2005

legislation for England and Wales, which came into force in October 2007, to govern the treatment of people who lack *capacity to make decisions. It gives legal force to the importance of *autonomy in health care and to *advance directives, decisions, or statements. It also provides statutory legislation for medical and social decision-makers to act in the patient’s best interests should he or she lose capacity (see Independent Mental Capacity Advocate). It allows proportionate force to implement decisions made in a patient’s best interests. For Scotland the current legislation is the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.... mental capacity act 2005

Otic Capsule

the cup-shaped cartilage in the head of an embryo that later develops into the bony *labyrinth of the ear.... otic capsule

Posterior Capsular Opacification

progressive clouding of the posterior lens capsule due to *Elschnig pearls and proliferation of lens fibres following extracapsular *cataract extraction by *phacoemulsification. This can lead to clouding of vision and is treated with YAG laser *capsulotomy.... posterior capsular opacification

Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure

(PCWP) an indirect measurement of the pressure of blood in the left atrium of the heart, which indicates the adequacy of left heart function. It is measured using a catheter wedged in the most distal segment of the pulmonary artery. See also Swan-Ganz catheter.... pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

Pulp Capping

the procedure of covering an exposed tooth pulp (direct pulp cap) or nearly exposed tooth pulp (indirect pulp cap) following trauma with a medicament (usually based on calcium hydroxide), which is then covered with a temporary or permanent *restoration.... pulp capping

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

a condition that occurs when the upper (capital) epiphysis of the femur slips in relation to the rest of the femur. It most commonly affects older teenage boys who are overweight. The main symptoms are pain in the hip or knee and limping gait. It can be diagnosed on X-ray. Treatment usually involves surgery to stabilize the epiphysis.... slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Sudden Unexpected Death In Epilepsy

(SUDEP) the sudden unexpected nontraumatic death of a person with *epilepsy, with or without evidence of a seizure and with no obvious cause found at post mortem.... sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

Tenon’s Capsule

the fibrous tissue that lines the orbit and surrounds the eyeball. [J. R. Tenon (1724–1816), French surgeon]... tenon’s capsule

Video Capsule Endoscopy

(VCE) an investigation for visualizing the intestinal lining (mucosa). A capsule containing a miniature digital video camera is swallowed by the patient and passively propelled through the intestine by peristalsis. The images are uploaded to a computer for subsequent analysis. Various capsules are available for investigation of oesophageal, small-intestinal, and colonic disorders. The commonest in use is the small-intestinal capsule, for investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrent iron-deficiency anaemia, or in cases of suspected Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, or small-bowel tumours.... video capsule endoscopy



Recent Searches