milk sickness

[ milk sik-nis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disease of humans, formerly common in some parts of the Midwestern and Southern United States, caused by consuming milk from cattle that have been poisoned by eating certain kinds of snakeroot.

milk sickness

noun

1. an acute disease characterized by weakness, vomiting, and constipation, caused by ingestion of the flesh or dairy products of cattle affected with trembles
2. vet science another name for trembles

Word History and Origins

Origin of milk sickness¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Producing milk sickness (a most fatal disease) in the human family, from eating the milk or flesh of animals affected by it.

From Project Gutenberg

The milk sickness is a disease of a singular character, which prevails in certain places.

From Project Gutenberg

In addition, the milk sickness was a sort of an epidemic disease in those parts.

From Project Gutenberg

The legislatures of several of the Western States have offered rewards for the discovery of the origin of the milk sickness.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, if milk sickness was of atmospheric or even epidemic origin, it would prevail in adjoining states.

From Project Gutenberg