painter's colic

American  

noun

1. Pathology. lead poisoning causing intense intestinal pain.

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painter's colic British  

noun

1. pathol another name for lead colic

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Etymology

Origin of painter's colic

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

It is a very fine trade; those who are employed in it, at the end of a month or two, have the painter's colic; of three attacked, about one dies.

From Mysteries of Paris, V3 by Sue, Eugène

It is often cultivated for the beauty of its flowers; the leaves are considered a valuable cathartic, in moderate doses, especially in the cure of painter's colic; in large doses they are violently emetic.

From Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Saunders, William

When taken in small but long-continued doses, it produces colic, called painter's colic; great pain, obstinate constipation, and in extreme cases paralytic, symptoms, especially wrist-drop, with a blue line along the edge of the gums.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Burroughs, Barkham

There may be specimens there, for priggishness is just like painter's colic or any other trade-disease.

From Memories and Studies by James, Henry

As there is housemaid's knee, and painter's colic, so there is millionaire's melancholia.

From Mrs. Budlong's Christmas Presents by Hughes, Rupert