gangrene

death of tissue because of loss of BLOOD supply or bacterial infection. There are two types of gangrene, dry and moist. Dry gangrene is caused purely by loss of blood supply and is a late-stage complication of DIABETES MELLITUS in which ATHEROSCLEROSIS is present. The affected part becomes cold and turns brown and black and there is an obvious line between living and dead tissue. In time the gangrenous part drops off. Moist gangrene is the more common type and is the result of bacterial infection which leads to putrefaction and issuing of fluids from the tissue, accompanied by an obnoxious smell. The patient may suffer from fever and ultimately die of blood poisoning. (See also GAS GANGRENE ).