caisson disease

noun

1. aeroembolism ( def 2 ).

caisson disease

noun

1. another name for decompression sickness

Word History and Origins

Origin of caisson disease¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

It proves to be a harbinger of doom: Many of the laborers — and Roebling himself — would be stricken with decompression sickness or “caisson disease.”

From New York Times

Exposure to such pressures is apt to be followed by disagreeable and even dangerous physiological effects, which are commonly referred to as caisson disease or compressed air illness.

From Project Gutenberg

The chief danger of caisson work is the "bends," or "caisson disease."

From Project Gutenberg

As most physicians are aware, the caisson disease is an affection of the spinal cord, due to a sudden transition from a relatively high atmospheric pressure to one much lower.

From Project Gutenberg

The caisson disease is popularly called "the bends" a kind of paralysis which is more or less baffling to medical science.

From Project Gutenberg