HI...Can anyone tell me why chicken pox are called chicken pox?

Question

My father wants to know, he is 59 and in bed ill wif the chicken pox. So any ideas?

Thanks

Answer 1

There are many explanations offered for the origin of the name chickenpox:

* Samuel Johnson suggested that the disease was "no very great danger", thus a "chicken" version of the pox;
* the specks that appear looked as though the skin was pecked by chickens;
* the disease was named after chick peas, from a supposed similarity in size of the seed to the lesions;
* the term reflects a corruption of the Old English word giccin, which meant itching.

As "pox" also means curse, in medieval times some believed it was a plague brought on to curse children by the use of black magic.

From ancient times, neem has been used by Indians to alleviate the external symptoms of itching and to minimise scarring. Neem baths (neem leaves and a dash of turmeric powder in water) are commonly given for the duration.

During the medieval era, oatmeal was discovered to soothe the sores, and oatmeal baths are today still commonly given to relieve itching.

Answer 2

According to one "history of medicine book", Giovanni Filippo (1510 - 80) of Palermo gave the first description of varicella (chicken pox). In the 1600s, Richard Morton, an English physician, described what he thought was a mild form of smallpox as "chicken pox". In 1767, an English physician named William Heberden, demonstrated that chicken pox was different from smallpox.

There are many possible explanations for the origin of the name chickenpox. For example, the blisters on the skin made it look like the skin had been pecked by chickens. However, the simplest explanation is offered by Samuel Johnson, who said that the disease was "no very great danger" thus it was described as a "chicken" version of the pox.

Answer 3

English physician named Richard Morton described what he thought a mild form of smallpox as "chicken pox." Later, in 1767, a physician named William Heberden, also from England, was the first physician to clearly demonstrate that chickenpox was different from smallpox. However, it is believed the name chickenpox was commonly used in earlier centuries before doctors identified the disease.

Answer 4

chicken pox are the bumps that run on your skin and they itch, but only little kids should get it unless a shot is taken

Answer 5

People thought that u caught them from chickens

Answer 6

Bless his heart. I had them at 29 and I was miserable. I wish I had the answer for you but it was a good question and definitely worth a star.

Answer 7

BECAUSE IF U LOOK REEL CLOSE U CAN SEE CHICKENS ON THEM!!! DAH!!!!!