ragpicker's disease

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Word: Ragpicker's Disease

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Ragpicker's disease is a serious illness caused by breathing in dust that contains a harmful bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. This disease is particularly associated with people who handle old rags, animal skins, or other materials that may carry this bacteria. The first signs of the disease include chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat. If not treated, it can lead to severe health problems, including a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "ragpicker's disease" when discussing health issues related to exposure to specific bacteria, especially in occupational settings like waste management or recycling.
• It is often used in medical contexts or discussions about occupational health risks.

Example Sentence:

• "Workers in the textile industry should take precautions to avoid ragpicker's disease, as it can be contracted from inhaling contaminated dust."

Advanced Usage:

• In discussions about public health, one might say, "Preventing ragpicker's disease is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers in industries that deal with waste materials."

Word Variants:

• Ragpicker: A person who collects and sells rags, often associated with low-income jobs.
• Disease: Refers to any condition that negatively affects the normal functioning of the body.

Different Meanings:

• "Ragpicker" can also refer to someone who collects discarded materials, but it is not always linked to the disease.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "ragpicker's disease," as it is a specific medical term. However, it may be referred to generally as an "anthrax infection."

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Dust to dust": This expression reflects the idea of returning to the earth but is not directly related to the disease.
• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "ragpicker's disease," but you might come across phrases about "taking precautions" or "risk of exposure" in relevant discussions.

Summary:

Ragpicker's disease is a serious bacterial infection linked to specific occupational hazards.

Academic

Noun

1. a form of anthrax infection acquired by inhalation of dust containing Bacillus anthracis; initial symptoms (chill and cough and dyspnea and rapid pulse) are followed by extreme cardiovascular collapse

Synonyms

• pulmonary anthrax
• inhalation anthrax
• anthrax pneumonia
• ragsorter's disease
• woolsorter's pneumonia
• woolsorter's disease