- A dictionary of medical eponyms

Christmas' factor

Related people

A thromboplastin activator (catalysing factor) present in blood plasma which is necessary for normal formation of thromboplastin, and thus for normal coagulation. When Christmas Factor is missing from the blood, it causes Christmas’ Disease. The name came from the patient in whom it was first determined that the hereditary haemophilia B was a different disease from the classical hereditary haemophilia caused by the absence of another clotting factor, Factor VIII.

We thank John Smith III for information submitted.

Bibliography

  • R. A. Biggs, A. S. Douglas, R. G. MacFarlane, J. V. Dacie, W. R. Pittney, C. Merskey and J. R. O’Brien:
    Christmas disease, a condition previously mistaken for haemophilia.
    British Medical Journal, London, 1952: 1378-1382.

What is an eponym?

An eponym is a word derived from the name of a person, whether real or fictional. A medical eponym is thus any word related to medicine, whose name is derived from a person.

What is Whonamedit?

Whonamedit.com is a biographical dictionary of medical eponyms. It is our ambition to present a complete survey of all medical phenomena named for a person, with a biography of that person.

Disclaimer:

Whonamedit? does not give medical advice.
This survey of medical eponyms and the persons behind them is meant as a general interest site only. No information found here must under any circumstances be used for medical purposes, diagnostically, therapeutically or otherwise. If you, or anybody close to you, is affected, or believe to be affected, by any condition mentioned here: see a doctor.