Catarrh is now regarded as inflammation of the mucous membranes, especially of the air passages, together with the production of a mucoid exudate.

Simple though this definition is, it bears evident traces of the history of the disease.

Source: Kiple Kenneth F. (Editor). The Cambridge World History of Human Disease. Cambridge University Press,1993. — 1200 p.. 1993

Catarrh is now regarded as inflammation of the mu­cous membranes, especially of the air passages, to­gether with the production of a mucoid exudate.