n.
a disease affecting inhabitantsof various parts of the interior of Australia, but chieflybushmen. It consists of persistent ulceration of the skin,chiefly on the back of the hands, and often originating inabrasions.
It is attributed to monotony of diet and to the cloudlessclimate, with its alternations of extreme cold at night andburning heat by day. It is said to be maintained andaggravated by the irritation of small flies.
1870. E. B. Kennedy, `Four Years in Queensland,' p. 46:
«Land scurvy is better known in Queensland by local names,which do not sound very pleasant, such as `Barcoo rot,'`Kennedy rot,' according to the district it appears in. Thereis nothing dangerous about it; it is simply the festering ofany cut or scratch on one's legs, arms or hands. . . They takemonths to heal. . . Want of vegetables is assigned as thecause.»
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 58:
«In Western Queensland people are also subject to bad sores onthe hand, called Barcoo-rot.»
n. an Australian grass, Anthistiria membranacea, Lindl. One of the best pasturegrasses in Queenslan...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
n. a sickness occurring ininhabitants of various parts of the high land of the interiorof Australia...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris