Definition

Noun: A toxic condition of the blood caused by the presence and absorption of bacterial toxins (ptomaines) formed during putrefaction, typically resulting from ingesting putrefied matter. It is a form of blood poisoning.

Usage

The term is used in medical contexts to describe a specific type of systemic infection and toxemia. * The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was sapremia, likely from consuming contaminated food. * Before modern antibiotics, wounds that became gangrenous could lead to sapremia.

Advanced Usage

• The condition is specifically associated with toxins from putrefactive bacteria (bacteria that cause decay), distinguishing it from other forms of sepsis or toxemia.
• It is often discussed in historical medical literature or in contexts involving severe, neglected infections and tissue death.

Variants and Related Words

• Sapremic (adjective): Relating to or affected by sapremia.
  • The patient was in a sapremic state, requiring aggressive treatment.

Synonyms

• Septicemia (though septicemia is a broader term for blood poisoning by pathogens)
• Blood poisoning
• Toxemia (specifically from putrefactive toxins)

Different Meanings

This is a specialized medical term with one primary meaning related to infection and toxemia. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.

Noun

1. blood poisoning caused by putrefactive bacteria; results from eating putrefied matter