Glossary
P
profound hypothermia unit
An instrument used during heart surgery to induce hypothermia and slow down the beating of the heart
profound mental retardation
A level of mental retardation or mental disorder associated with an IQ below 20.
prolapse
The falling down or sinking, of a part. To fall out of place.
prostheses
Artificial body parts, or materials inserted into tissue for functional, cosmetic, or therapeutic effect. Prostheses can be functional (artificial arms and legs), or cosmetic (artificial eye).
prosthetic appliance
used to replace hands
protection
The act or instance of warding off a threat, or preserves somone or something from injury or harm.
protective spectacles
Type spectacle with strenghened glass or other transparent medium to protect against flying particles, but not providing correction for defective vision.
protein
Proteins are large organic compounds made of amino acids. They are essential to all living cells and organisms.
prototype - object genre
Original form of an object, which is used as an example. Whenever a new design for a building or machine is being developed, a prototype will be made. The prototype is often a smaller version of the final product.
psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital specialising in the treatment of serious mental illness, usually for relatively long-term patients.
psychiatry
A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness.
psychotropic drug
A term used to describe drugs that affect mood and the mind.
public notice
A form of information directed to citizens of a governmental body regarding government-related activities. Public notices have traditionally been published in specified governmental publications and in local newspapers, a common source for community information.
puerperal fever
A blood infection suffered by some mothers soon after birth. The main symptom is a fever in the first 24 hours following delivery.
pulmonary tuberculosis
A deadly airborne disease which attacks the lungs.
pulse
The throbbing of the arteries as blood flows through them. The pulse matches the rate at which the heart is beating.
pulse glass
An instrument consisting of a glass tube with terminal bulbs, containing ether or alcohol, which the heat of the hand causes to boil - so called from the pulsating motion of the liquid when thus warmed. Using a pulse glass in an experiment demonstrates Charles' law, that the volume of a given amount of dry ideal gas is directly proportional to the temperature if the amount of gas and the pressure remains fixed.
pustule
A small inflammation of the skin, containing pus.
putrefaction
The process of bacteria decomposing proteins, often leaving a strong and unpleasant smell.
puzzle
Use for recreational artifacts designed as amusements or diversions by presenting constructional difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort