Hæmophilia

Hæmophilia, or the hæmorrhagic diathesis, is the name applied to a constitutional peculiarity which manifests itself in a tendency to excessive bleeding when any blood-vessel is injured. In those who suffer from it (bleeders) a slight bruise may cause extensive extravasation of blood; a small cut or the extraction of a tooth may lead to dangerous or even fatal hæmorrhage. It is not known whether it is to the blood or the blood-vessels of those affected that the faulty arrest of bleeding is due. The condition is strongly hereditary; and, though it rarely affects women, is often transmitted in the female line. No cure is known for it.