impostume

/ ɪmˈpɒsθuːm, ɪmˈpɒstjuːm /

noun

1. an archaic word for abscess

Word History and Origins

Origin of impostume¹

C15: from Old French empostume, from Late Latin apostēma, from Greek, literally: separation (of pus), from aphistanai to remove, from histanai to stand

Example Sentences

What difference is there between a Tumour and an Impostume or Abcess?

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They differ in this particular, that all Tumours are not Impostumes nor Abcesses; but there is no Impostume nor Abcess that is not a Tumour: As for Example, Wens and Ganglions are Tumours, yet are not Abcesses nor Impostumes; whereas these last are always Tumours in regard that they cause Bunches and Elevations.

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Yes, but it is done imperfectly, in regard that a Tumour or Impostume cannot be said to be absolutely cur'd, as long as there remains any thing of the Original Malady, as it happens in the Scirrhus, where the Matter is harden'd by an imperfect dissolving of it, or when the Impostume degenerates into a greater and more dangerous Distemper, as it appears in the Esthiomenus or Gangrene that succeeds it.

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The Degenerate Cancer is that which succeeds an obstinate and ill-dress'd Tumour or Impostume, and which becomes an Ulcerated Cancer, without assuming the Nature of a blind or occult one.

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It is known by the black Colour of the Neighbouring Flesh, the Stink of the Sanies that comes forth, the intolerable Pains felt thereabouts, which are fix'd and continual before the Impostume and Ulcer appear; but when the Ulcer is made, a kind of roughness may be perceiv'd in the Bone.

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