bromism

bro·mism 'brō-.miz-əm n an abnormal state due to excessive or prolonged use of bromides

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n.

a group of symptoms caused by excessive intake of bromides, formerly widely used as sedatives. Overuse for long periods leads to mental dullness, weakness, drowsiness, loss of sensation, slurred speech, and sometimes coma. A form of acne may also develop.

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bro·mism (broґmiz-əm) [brom- (2) + -ism] chronic bromide intoxication, caused by chronic ingestion of proprietary bromide preparations; it was once a common problem but is now rare. Characteristics include mental dullness, deficient memory, slurred speech, drowsiness, tremors, and ataxia. Skin eruptions of various forms are common. In most cases there is an accompanying mental disorder, which may be a delirium, a hallucinosis, or a transitory psychotic state resembling paranoid schizophrenia. Called also brominism.