The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pellagra \Pel"la*gra\ (p[e^]l"l[.a]*gr[.a]), n. [It. pelle skin
+ agro rough.] (Med.)
An affection of the skin, characterized by redness,
especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the
skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal
disturbance and nervous symptoms. It is due to a deficiency
of niacin in the diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or,
in some cases, by a heavy dependence on maize for food. It
was at one time (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was
called Alpine scurvy. It may also be caused by alcoholism
or diease causing an impairment of nutrition. It is also
called St. Ignatius's itch, maidism, mal de la rosa,
mal rosso, and psychoneurosis maidica. A variety of
pellagra seen in children is called infantile pellagra or
kwashiorkor.
--[Stedman]