| Flesch formula | A method of determining the difficulty of a written passage by a formulation that provides an estimate of how many people in the U.S. Would be able to read and understand the passage; used in determining patient comprehension of hospital consent forms. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| Florschutz' formula | The correct relation of height to the abdominal circumference: L: (2B -L), L representing the individual's height, and B the circumference of the abdomen; the normal value so determined would be 5, and any below that would indicate obesity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| formula | Origin: L, dim. Of forma form, model. SeeForm. 1. A prescribed or set form; an established rule; a fixed or conventional method in which anything is to be done, arranged, or said. 2. A written confession of faith; a formal statement of foctrines. 3. <mathematics> A rule or principle expressed in algebraic language; as, the binominal formula. 4. <medicine> A prescription or recipe for the preparation of a medicinal compound. 5. <chemistry> A symbolic expression (by means of letters, figures, etc) of the constituents or constitution of a compound. Chemical formulae consist of the abbreviations of the names of the elements, with a small figure at the lower right hand, to denote the number of atoms of each element contained. <chemistry> Empirical formula, a formula indicating the supposed molecular constitution of a compound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| formula feeding | The ability of the breast to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Immunity factors in breast milk can help the baby to fight off infections. Breast milk contains vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which aid the baby's digestion. Breast and formula feeding can be used together. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Ledermann formula | A formula to calculate alcohol dependancy levels. Ledermann showed empirically that the distribution of alcohol consumption in a population is log normal; the formula used this observation to estimate the prevalence of various degrees of alcohol dependency. Some questions have been raised about the validity of Ledermann's observations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Long's formula | A formula for estimating from the specific gravity of a specimen of urine the approximate amount of solids in grams per liter; the last two figures of the value for specific gravity are multiplied by 2.6. Synonym: Long's coefficient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria | <haematology> A rare blood disorder caused by antibodies which destroy red blood cells upon exposure to the cold. The antibodies are formed against a specific blood group and are triggered by the cold. The cause is unknown but the disease has been associated with syphilis and some viral infections. Serum haemoglobin and urine haemoglobin are increased during the attacks. The disease is chronic and treatment is difficult. Some cases resolve spontaneously without treatment. Origin: Gr. Ouron = urine (27 Sep 1997) |
| rose cold | Allergic rhinitis occurring in the spring and early summer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| warm-cold haemolysin | Haemolysin which combines with red blood cells at temperatures below 20캜 and are eluted at warmer temperatures, e.g., 30 to 37캜. See: Donath-Landsteiner cold autoantibody, haemagglutinating cold autoantibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold | <virology> A slang term that describes a viral upper respiratory infection which results from inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cold abscess | An abscess without heat or other usual signs of inflammation. Synonym: tuberculous abscess. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutination | The agglutination of red blood cells by their own serum (see autoagglutination), or by any other serum when the blood is cooled below body temperature, but most pronounced below 25캜; the phenomenon results from cold agglutinins; may be seen occasionally in the blood of apparently normal persons or as a pathologic finding in patients with primary atypical pneumonia, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral diseases, certain protozoan infections, or lymphoproliferative neoplasms. See: autoagglutination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutination test | <investigation> A test for blood antibodies which are present in certain peculiar types of pneumonia (atypical pneumonia, Mycoplasma) (27 Sep 1997) |
| cold agglutinin | An antibody which reacts more efficiently at temperatures below 37캜. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutinins | <haematology> Antibodies that agglutinate particles with greater activity below 32쵣. They are IgM antibodies specifically reactive with blood groups I and i in humans and agglutinate red blood cells on cooling, causing Raynaud's phenomenon in vivo. (18 Nov 1997) |