black fever

• (visceral leishmaniasis): Compare kala-azar.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

black fever (uncountable)

1. (pathology) Visceral leishmaniasis.
2. (slang) Synonym of jungle fever.
   • 1964, James Baldwin, Blues for Mister Charlie, Dell, act 3, page 140:

     What name could I have called? Richard would say that you've got—black fever.