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King’s Evil

A term used for extrapulmonary tuberculosis, especially cervical lymphadenopathy (scrofula). The name refers to the belief that the condition could be healed by the touch of the reigning monarch, as graphically described in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Koch phenomenon

A necrotic hypersensitivity reaction induced in the skin of tuberculous guinea pigs following the injection of tubercle bacilli, leading to destruction of the bacilli and local healing. It is also induced by injection of Old Tuberculin.

Koch, Robert

The German microbiologist who discovered the tubercle bacillus in 1882.

Kyphosis

Curvature of the spine.

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