You searched for: “putrefaction
putrefaction, putrefactiveness
The process of breaking down by bacterial action; decay.

Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction fermentative.

Putrefaction is not possible under conditions that preclude the development of living organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or ptomaines.

This entry is located in the following unit: putre-, putri-, putid- + (page 1)
A unit related to: “putrefaction
(Greek: rotten, putrid, putrefaction, decay; poisoning from bacterial action)
(Greek: an eating, or gnawing, sore ending in mortification, necrosis, or the death of bodily tissue; usually the result of ischemia or the loss of blood supply to the affected area, bacterial invasion, and subsequent putrefaction)