Cryptogenetic
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This 1930s encyclopedia entry discusses the term cryptogenetic, used in pathology to describe diseases of unclear or hidden origin. It notes that this term, along with essential and idiopathic, can be misleading and advocates instead for describing conditions as diseases with unknown pathogenesis.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
CRYPTOGENETIC (Greek kryptos - hidden, and genesis - origin), a term used in pathology in relation to diseases whose origin and development appear unclear, "hidden." Thus, one speaks of cryptogenetic infection, cryptogenetic sepsis, etc.; sometimes the term cryptogenetic is placed alongside the terms "essential" and "idiopathic." All three terms are not only useless, but sometimes cause direct harm by creating a certain appearance of knowledge where there is none. It is much more rational, instead of the words "cryptogenetic disease," to speak of diseases with unknown pathogenesis.
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“Cryptogenetic.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/cryptogenetic/