beriberi

views updated

beriberi (b'e-ri-b'e-ri) n. a nutritional disorder due to deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamin). It is widespread in communities in which the diet is based on polished rice. dry b. a form of beriberi in which there is extreme emaciation. wet b. a form of beriberi in which there is an accumulation of tissue fluid (oedema). There is nervous degeneration in both forms of the disease and death from heart failure is often the outcome.

More From encyclopedia.com