demi-monde Class of women kept by wealthy lovers or protectors; prostitutes; group whose respectability is dubious or whose success is marginal. demulcent Soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used to relieve pain of irritated mucous membranes. diathesis Hereditary predisposition to disease, allergy, or other disorder. digitalis Plant of the genus Digitalis, including foxgloves. Drug prepared from the seeds and dried leaves used as a cardiac stimulant. dilatory Delay or postpone. discomfit Make uneasy or perplexed; disconcert; embarrass; thwart the plans of; frustrate. dry cupping See cupping. dysmenorrhea Painful menstruation. effusion Seeping of serous, purulent, or bloody fluid into a body cavity or tissue. The effused fluid. eiderdown (eider down) Down of the eider duck, used to stuff quilts and pillows. Quilt stuffed with the down of the eider duck. empyema Pus in a body cavity, especially the pleural cavity. ennui Listlessness, dissatisfaction, lack of interest; boredom: Epsom salts Hydrated magnesium sulfate, MgSO4.7H2O, used as a cathartic and to reduce inflammation. ergot Fungus (Claviceps purpurea) infecting cereal plants; forms compact black masses of branching filaments that replace many of the grains of the host plant. Disease caused by such a fungus. The dried sclerotia of ergot obtained from rye is a source of several medicinal alkaloids and lysergic acid. erigeron Genus of composite herbs having flower heads resembling asters. Formerly used as a diuretic and as a hemostatic in uterine hemorrhage erysipelas Acute skin disease caused by hemolytic streptococcus; marked by localized inflammation and fever. Also called Saint Anthony's fire. eschar Dry scab or slough formed on the skin caused by a burn or by the action of a corrosive or caustic substance. eucaine A crystalline substance, C15H21NO2, used as a local anesthetic, substituting for cocaine, in veterinary medicine. eucalyptol (cineole) Colorless oily liquid, C10H18O, from eucalyptus; used in pharmaceuticals, flavoring, and perfumery. eucalyptus Trees of the genus Eucalyptus, native to Australia; they have aromatic leaves that yield an oil used medicinally. farcy (see glanders) Chronic form of glanders that affects the skin and superficial lymph vessels. febrile ferverish felon Painful purulent infection at the end of a finger or toe in the area surrounding the nail. Also called whitlow. ferrocyanate Salt of ferrocyanic acid; a ferrocyanide. fistula An abnormal duct or passage resulting from injury, disease, or other disorder that connects an abscess, cavity, or hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ. flounce Strip of decorative, gathered or pleated material attached by one edge, as on a garment or curtain.