gas gangrene

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a gangrenous infection developing in wounds, especially deep wounds with closed spaces, caused by bacteria that form gases in the subcutaneous tissues.

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gas gangrene British  

noun

1. gangrene resulting from infection of a wound by anaerobic bacteria (esp Clostridium welchii ) that cause gas bubbles and swelling in the surrounding tissues

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Etymology

Origin of gas gangrene

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The appearance of gas gangrene on a widespread scale in wounds of all sorts … made it imperative that the surgeon should be brought nearer to the fighting zone.

From Nature

More rarely, the bacterium can cause gas gangrene.

From BBC

Calcium gluconate and gas gangrene antitoxin as well as antibiotics are helpful.

From Project Gutenberg

During my year or more along the fronts I had been through many hospitals and from my observations in those institutions I had cultivated a keen distaste for one thing—gas gangrene.

From Project Gutenberg

And all the while the wound in the abdomen gave forth a terrible stench, filling the ward, for- 23 - he had gas gangrene, the odour of which is abominable.

From Project Gutenberg