"Dropsy" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Dropsy" Meaning

Dropsy is an old-fashioned term for edema, which is the medical condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues, causing swelling of the skin and underlying tissues.

"Dropsy" Examples

Usage Examples for "Dropsy"

1. Historical Medical Context

Dropsy was a term used in the 17th and 18th centuries to describe a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the body tissues, often caused by heart or kidney failure. In this sense, the patient was said to have suffered from "dropsy of the lungs."

2. Wordplay in Poetry

In a poem by the 19th-century American poet, Emily Dickinson, "dropsy of the dawn" is used as a metaphor to describe the slow and painful rising of the sun.

3. Literary Reference

In Charles Dickens' novel, "Martin Chuzzlewit", the character of Mrs. Gamp is known for her distaste for patients with "dropsy", highlighting her inexperience and lack of understanding of the condition.

4. Medical Historical Review

A medical review article discussing the history of cardiology mentions "dropsy" as a term once used to describe cardiac edema, emphasizing the need for more accurate and modern terminology in medical literature.

5. Juxtaposition in Contemporary Writing

In a contemporary literary essay, the author uses the term "dropsy" to contrast with modern medical terminology, highlighting the changing understanding of disease and its treatment over time.