a. and sb. Path. [ad. mod.L. varioloides, -odes (Frank, c. 1790): see VARIOLA and -OID. So F. varioloïde, It. vajuoloide.]
A. adj. Resembling variola or small-pox; like that of variola.
In early use ‘applied to a supposed special discase spontaneously developed in our climate under certain atmospheric conditions and capable of being propagated by infection or inoculation’ (Mayne, Expos. Lex.).
1821. W. Stoker (title), Observations on the Varioloid Disease.
1825. Good, Study Med. (ed. 2), V. 737. Varioloid eruptions, III. 88.
1851. Leadam, Homœopathy, 354. Varioloid Diseases. This term is applied to those diseases which resemble small-pox, and are more or less dependent upon the same epidemical constitution of the atmosphere for their production.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 479. Sometimes it [a pathological process] is partial, and a varioloid lesion results.
B. sb. A modified form of variola, esp. a mild variety occurring after vaccination or in those who have previously had small-pox.
1828–32. in Webster.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xiv. 148. One of the former was attacked by varioloid just after the crisis of long-continued spotted fever.
1870. T. W. Higginson, Army Life, 234. A case or two of varioloid in the regiment.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 103. A papular appearance which if the rash be scanty, may resemble the early stage of varioloid.
fig. 1860. Emerson, Cond. Life, Culture, Wks. (Bohn), II. 364. Is egotism a metaphysical varioloid of this malady?
