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Literary notes about serosity (AI summary)

In medical and anatomical contexts, "serosity" is primarily used to describe a type of fluid—often a clear or slightly opaque exudate—that accumulates in tissues due to diseases or injuries. Authors employ the term to denote bodily fluids such as serum, lymph, pus, or other liquid secretions; it appears as a descriptor for fluid extravasation in situations ranging from the rupture of vesicles, where the serosity escapes into surrounding areas [1], to its characterization as an infiltrative agent in cellular tissues during gangrene [2]. The word also appears occasionally in broader lexicons, positioned alongside synonyms like lymph, sap, and blood [3], and is even used metaphorically in literary references as a nickname, hinting perhaps at a distinctive, persistent quality [4]. This nuanced usage highlights the term's dual role in conveying both precise medical detail and evocative imagery in literature.
  1. We again quote some of the medical details:— “The phenomenon occurs thus:—The vesicle bursts, and the contained serosity escapes.
    — from The Other World; or, Glimpses of the Supernatural (Vol. 1 of 2) Being Facts, Records, and Traditions Relating to Dreams, Omens, Miraculous Occurrences, Apparitions, Wraiths, Warnings, Second-sight, Witchcraft, Necromancy, etc.
  2. The gangrene extends often rapidly, in consequence of the infiltration of putrid serosity into the cellular tissue.
    — from Elements of Surgery by Robert Liston
  3. fluid, inelastic fluid; liquid, liquor; lymph, humor, juice, sap, serum, blood, serosity[obs3], gravy, rheum, ichor[obs3], sanies[obs3]; chyle[Med].
    — from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget
  4. Hence some evil-minded wag amongst his brethren had named him “Old Serosity.”
    — from The Funny Side of Physic Or, The Mysteries of Medicine, Presenting the Humorous and Serious Sides of Medical Practice. An Exposé of Medical Humbugs, Quacks, and Charlatans in All Ages and All Countries. by Addison Darre Crabtre

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