Do you know what it is? It is "purulent bubo". As in, "you purulent bubo!" or "don't be such a purulent bubo, Frank". (I don't know anyone named Frank, but maybe you do.)
I have no idea if buboes are strictly a plaguely phenomenon. There's a lot I don't know about buboes, and about pus. Maybe I shouldn't call people purulent buboes until I'm better informed.
This is a list of countries in which the bubonic plague still occurs: Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire, Botswana, Uganda, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, the US, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Burma. I found it here. I make no claims as to its accuracy except that I already knew it's still in the US of A, in, for instance, the Rockies.
I hope you have enjoyed this post.
It's also in the sierras in California.
I find it very annoying that my institution's library does not get me the online edition of the LRB.
Posted by: eb | July 29, 2005 at 10:47 AM
I think you can have buboes without the plague.
Posted by: dave zacuto | July 29, 2005 at 10:47 AM
I was pretty disappointed to find out there's no difference between a furuncle and a carbuncle.
Posted by: rone | July 29, 2005 at 11:05 AM
The etymology for "furuncle" is kind of funny: "Latin furunculus petty thief, boil". Ah, yes. That petty thief and/or boil.
Posted by: ben wolfson | July 29, 2005 at 11:10 AM
I do indeed know a Frank, and he is indeed a purulent bubo! Don't ever let anyone tell you you're not a genius.
Posted by: Michael | July 29, 2005 at 12:39 PM