maladie des jambes

ma·la·die des jambes

ill-defined disease seen among rice-growers in Louisiana.

maladie des jambes

A clinical variant of beri-beri (thiamine deficiency), described in the early 20th century in rice workers of Louisiana, characterised by palpitations, dyspnoea and oedema, which led to the tentative diagnosis of congestive heart failure. It was accompanied by progressive peripheral neuropathy of the legs (jambes), with ankle drop, muscle atrophy and gait defects.