Birdsville disease

noun

Birds·​ville disease

ˈbərdzˌvil-,

ˈbə̄dz-,

-əl

: a disease of Australian horses marked by drowsiness, emaciation, incoordination, and labored breathing, frequently ending fatally in 7 to 10 days, and being of uncertain etiology, both poisonous forage and heavy worm burdens having been suggested as possible causes

Word History

Etymology

from Birdsville, village and cattle region in Queensland, Australia

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