|
Medical Definition of Contagious ecthyma
1. A specific disease of sheep and goats, caused by the orf virus. This virus is transmissible to man and characterised by vesiculation and ulceration of the infected site. Synonym: contagious ecthyma, contagious pustular dermatitis, scabby mouth, soremouth. Origin: O.E. Orfcwealm, murrain, fr. Orf, cattle, + cwealm, destruction (05 Mar 2000)