Path. [mod.L., a. Gr. τράχωμα roughness (Dioscorides), f. τρᾱχύς rough.] An infectious disease of the eyes, characterized by roughness or granulation of the inner surface of the eyelids, often supervening upon purulent ophthalmia; also called granular lids. b. Also, an affection of the larynx characterized by nodular swellings on the vocal cords (quot. 1880).
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Trachoma, a Scab, or Asperity of the inner part of the Eye-lid.
1857. Dunglison, Med. Lex., Trachoma.… A roughness of the inner surface of the eyelids. A variety of ophthalmia, of which three kinds have been designated.
1880. M. Mackenzie, Dis. Throat & Nose, I. 293. This condition has been called chorditis tuberosa or trachoma.
1904. Daily Chron., 18 Oct., 3/4. So prevalent is the disease in Egypt … that a travelling hospital … has been for some months at work in that country, confining its attention solely to trachoma.
b. attrib. Trachoma glands, a name for the lymph-follicles of the conjunctiva, which increase in number in trachoma.
1873. T. H. Green, Introd. Pathol. (ed. 2), 142. The trachoma glands of the conjunctiva.
1890. Billings, Med. Dict., Bruch, follicles of, conjunctival lymph-follicles, trachoma glands of Henle.
Hence Trachomatous a., pertaining to, of the nature of, or affected with trachoma.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
1900. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 12 May, Epit. Curr. Lit., 74. Trachomatous Pannus cured by intercurrent Erysipelas.
