gas gangrene

noun

, Pathology.

1. a gangrenous infection developing in wounds, especially deep wounds with closed spaces, caused by bacteria that form gases in the subcutaneous tissues.

gas gangrene

noun

1. gangrene resulting from infection of a wound by anaerobic bacteria (esp Clostridium welchii ) that cause gas bubbles and swelling in the surrounding tissues

Word History and Origins

Origin of gas gangrene¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The appearance of gas gangrene on a widespread scale in wounds of all sorts … made it imperative that the surgeon should be brought nearer to the fighting zone.

From Nature

Another woman succumbed to gas gangrene — a toxin that can kill between 24 and 48 hours after a bungled abortion.

From Washington Post

More rarely, the bacterium can cause gas gangrene.

From BBC

Calcium gluconate and gas gangrene antitoxin as well as antibiotics are helpful.

From Project Gutenberg

During my year or more along the fronts I had been through many hospitals and from my observations in those institutions I had cultivated a keen distaste for one thing—gas gangrene.

From Project Gutenberg