swamp fever

American  

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. leptospirosis.

2. Also called infectious anemia of horses.  an equine viral disease characterized by weakness and recurring fever, transmitted by contaminated food and water.

3. malaria.

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swamp fever British  

noun

1. Also called: equine infectious anaemia.  a viral disease of horses characterized by recurring fever, staggering gait, and general debility

2. another name for malaria

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Etymology

Origin of swamp fever

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

I loved the series a lot in the moment—it’s high on my best-episodes-of-2014 list, about which more later—but looking back on the season, as a whole, it feels like a swamp fever that’s passed.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2014

Better known as swamp fever, EIA is a viral infection related to the human HIV virus, and for which there is no cure or vaccine.

From The Guardian • Oct. 1, 2012

Largely because Virginia Mayo spends a good part of her time wasting away with swamp fever, the love affair seldom becomes sticky enough to slow up the action.

From Time Magazine Archive

The novel opens in 323 B.C. with Alexander, 33, dying of swamp fever in a Babylonian palace.

From Time Magazine Archive

He gained strength rapidly, for the swamp fever does not, as a rule, keep its victim prostrate long.

From For Jacinta by Bindloss, Harold