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.

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Etymology

Origin of summer complaint

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

summer complaint

For a patient with summer complaint, flavor by boiling a stick of cinnamon in it.

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

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

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

This is very good for children having summer complaint.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Thomas Jefferson Ritter

It is often moaned out when the child is ill with "summer complaint" or other intestinal disturbances.

From The Mother and Her Child by William S. Sadler