a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments

[ Syn: alpine scurvy , mal de la rosa , mal rosso , maidism , mayidism , saint ignatius itch ]