Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Allotriophagy

Psychiatry

Also known as: Pica

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

Allotriophagy is defined as a pathological inclination to consume unusual and inedible substances. This 1930s encyclopedia entry notes examples such as the consumption of soil or chalk.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

ALLOTRIOPHAGY (from the Greek allotrios—foreign and phagein—to eat), a pathological inclination to consume unusual and inedible substances (earth, chalk, etc.).

Cite this page

“Allotriophagy.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/allotriophagy/