summer complaint

American  

noun

1. an acute condition of diarrhea, occurring during the hot summer months chiefly in infants and children, caused by bacterial contamination of food and associated with poor hygiene.

---

Etymology

Origin of summer complaint

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

summer complaint

This gruel is excellent for children afflicted with summer complaint.

From The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) Cooking, Toilet and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care of the Sick, Health Suggestions, Facts Worth Knowing, Etc., Etc. The Whole Comprising a Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home by F. L. (Fanny Lemira) Gillette

This is excellent for summer complaint, whether in adults or children.

From The Easiest Way in Housekeeping and Cooking Adapted to Domestic Use or Study in Classes by Helen Campbell

Camomile tea is good for sleeplessness; calamus and catnip for babies' colic; and cinnamon for hemorrhages and summer complaint.

From The Easiest Way in Housekeeping and Cooking Adapted to Domestic Use or Study in Classes by Helen Campbell

The best first step is to ask questions that they should be able to answer: What causes cholera morbus or summer complaint?

From Civics and Health by William H. Allen

These troubles occur most frequently during the summer months, especially with infants and children, as in cholera infantum and summer complaint.

From Outlines of Dairy Bacteriology, 8th edition A Concise Manual for the Use of Students in Dairying by H. L. (Harry Luman) Russell