疳かん

noun

infantile neurosis with night crying and convulsions

Traditional Chinese medicine term for a childhood disorder marked by nighttime crying and convulsions. Rare in modern medical contexts.

• 昔むかしは、夜よ泣なきがひどい赤あかちゃんを「疳かんの虫むし」と呼よんだ。

  In the past, babies who cried a lot at night were called 'kan no mushi' (literally, 'kan worm').

noun

temper; nerves

Used in expressions like 疳に障る (to get on one's nerves) or 疳が強い (short-tempered). Often written in kana.

See also: 癇

• 彼かれの言いい方かたがかんに障さわった。

  His way of speaking got on my nerves.

• あの子こはかんが強つよいから、すぐ怒おこる。

  That child has a short temper and gets angry quickly.