Where There Is No Doctor 2011 421
Colostrum The first milk a mother’s breasts
produce. It looks watery but is rich in protein and
helps protect the baby against infection.
Coma A state of unconsciousness from which a
person cannot be wakened. It is caused by disease,
injury, or poison, and often ends in death.
Community A group of people living in the same
village or area who have similar living conditions,
interests, and problems.
*Complications Secondary health problems that
sometimes develop in the course of a disease. For
example, meningitis may result as a dangerous
complication of measles.
Compost A mixture of plant and animal waste that is
allowed to rot for use as a fertilizer. Hay, dead leaves,
vegetable waste, animal droppings, and manure all
make good compost.
Compress A folded cloth or pad put on a part of the
body. It may be soaked in hot or cold water.
Conjunctiva A thin, protective layer that covers the
white of the eye and inner side of the eyelids.
Consciousness See Loss of consciousness.
Constipation Dry, hard, difficult stools (bowel
movements) that do not come often.
Consumption An old name for tuberculosis.
Contact Touch. Contagious diseases can be spread
by a sick person coming in contact with (touching or
being close to) another person.
Contagious disease A sickness that can be spread
easily from one person to another.
Contaminate To dirty, stain, or infect by contact.
A syringe that has not been boiled is often
contaminated and can cause infections, even though
it looks clean.
Contraceptive Any method of preventing
pregnancy.
Contractions Tightening or shortening of muscles.
The strong contractions of the womb when a woman
is in labor help to push the baby out of the womb.
Contractures Shortened or tight muscles in a joint
that limit movement.
*Contraindication A situation or condition when
a particular medicine should not be taken. (Many
medicines are contraindicated in pregnancy.)
Convulsions An uncontrolled seizure, or fit. A
sudden jerking of part or all of the person’s body, as
in meningitis or epilepsy.
Cornea The clear outer layer or ‘window’ of the eye,
covering the iris and pupil.
Corns Hard, thick, painful parts of the skin formed
where sandals or shoes push against the skin or one
toe presses against another.
Cramp A painful tightening or contraction of a
muscle.
*Cretinism See Hypothyroidism.
Cupping A home remedy that consists of drawing
blood to the surface of the body by use of a glass or
cup with a flame under it.
Cyst An abnormal, sac-like, liquid-filled growth
developing in the body.
D
Dandruff Oily white or grayish flakes or scales that
appear in the hair. Seborrhea of the scalp.
Decongestant A medicine that helps relieve
swelling or stuffiness of the nose or sinuses.
Defects Birth defects are physical or mental
problems a child is born with, such as a hare lip, club
foot, or an extra finger or toe.
Deficiency Not having enough of something; a lack.
Deformed Abnormally formed, not having the right
shape.
Dehydration A condition in which the body loses
more liquid than it takes in. This lack of water is
especially dangerous in babies.
Delirium A state of mental confusion with strange
movements and speech; it may come with high fever
or severe illness.
*Dermal Of the skin.
Dermatitis An infection or irritation of the skin.
Diaper rash Reddish, irritated patches between a
baby’s legs caused by urine in his diapers (nappy) or
bedding.
Diarrhea Frequent runny or liquid stools.
Diet The kinds and amounts of foods that a person
should eat or avoid eating.
Discharge A release or flowing out of fluid, mucus,
or pus.
Dislocations Bones that have slipped out of place
at a joint.
Douche A way to wash out the vagina by squirting a
stream of water up into it.
Drowning When a person stops breathing
(suffocates) from being under water.
Dysentery Diarrhea with mucus and blood. It is
usually caused by an infection.