The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Barbiers \Bar"biers\, n. (Med.)
   A variety of paralysis, peculiar to India and the Malabar
   coast; -- considered by many to be the same as beriberi in
   a chronic form.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Beriberi \Be`ri*be"ri\, n. [Singhalese beri weakness.]
   An acute disease occurring in India, characterized by
   multiple inflammatory changes in the nerves, producing great
   muscular debility, a painful rigidity of the limbs, and
   cachexy.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

beriberi
    n 1: avitaminosis caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)