Was Edema Common in the Regency Era? (Dropsy)

Dropsy was a common ailment during the Regency Era. It was a serious medical condition that could lead to death, but it was not fatal in all cases. You may have questions about how it progressed and what caused it. Still, this article will answer those questions so you can better understand why your favorite Regency-era romance novel characters might be suffering from edema or dropsy.

What is Dropsy?

Dropsy is an archaic term for edema, which is the abnormal collection of fluid in the body’s tissues. Edema can cause swelling in various body parts, including the abdomen, arms, legs, and face. In acute cases of edema, it can be life-threatening due to compression of vital organs such as the heart or lungs by swollen tissue.

The term “dropsy” dates back to ancient Greece. The Greeks used it to describe a disease caused by excess watery fluid collecting in one part or another within a person’s body cavity (tissue surrounding organs). The condition has been known since then under numerous names, including dropsy and hydropsy. The term “edema” was adopted into English around 1660 from the Greek word “oidein,” meaning “to swell.”

What Did People Think Caused Dropsy in the Regency Era?

In the Regency era, dropsy clinically was often associated with a family disposition to it. Other causes of dropsy included:

• Frequent salivations or production of saliva
• Excessive or lengthy bowel movements or constipation
• Drinking too much alcohol

Dr. Robert Thomas studied obesity, dropsy, and many other medical issues of the day. He was alive during the regency era and published writing in 1813 about his studies on dropsy.

Edema or Dropsy Had Many Names in the Regency Era

Edema or dropsy had many names in the regency era. In addition to being referred to as edema, it was also called hydro-thorax or hydrocephalus. Chest edema was called hydro-thorax, and abdominal edema, ascites. The term hydrocephalus was reserved for edema within the cranium or skull. Do you want to read a book about a head injury with some dropsy in the regency era? Why not check out the Earl of Excess by Anne St. Claire. You can read the first few chapters for free!

How Did Doctors Try to Cure Dropsy in the Regency Era

Once the doctors figured out what caused the Dropsy, they could treat it. The most common treatment for dropsy was evacuation or drainage of the serous fluid collection. Drainage involved inserting a long needle into the swollen area and pulling up on it to drain some of the fluid out.

Others tried diaphoretic medicine (medicine that causes sweating) on a person with dropsy to induce sweating in them and help remove some of their excess water weight. Doctors also used emetic medications that cause vomiting to get rid of excess water weight, as well as cold baths, changes of air, diet restrictions, and laxatives (to help eliminate waste matter).

Edema is not treated exactly as it was 200-plus years ago. You should always refer to a doctor if you have or suspect you have edema, but you can use these “remedies” within your regency romance novel.

Is Dropsy a Popular Ailment in Regency Romance Novels?

You might be surprised to learn that the answer is yes. Though it isn’t often called dropsy or named as such, swelling after injuring yourself is a common ailment in Regency romance novels. When a heroine’s foot is hurt and swollen, she often talks about how painful it is to walk on her ankle (even if she has no other injuries). The hero will then carry her everywhere he goes until the swelling goes down enough that he can safely put her down again. Empowered by the Earl, by Alexa Aston, is one example where the heroine has an injured ankle. You can read the first few chapters for free if you want to read an injury-damsel in distress trope.

Another book where dropsy clinically comes into play but is not explicitly mentioned is A Love for all Time by Laura Landon. In this one, it is again the heroine who is injured.

If you want to read a medieval romance where dropsy comes into play with some injuries, you can also check out The Pawn by Alexa Aston. While The Pawn has many adult themes, it also features the injury trope. You can read the first couple of chapters of The Pawn for free to get you started.

Dropsy Clinically Portrayed in the Regency Era

So, can we conclude that Dropsy was a common ailment in the Regency era?

Yes, it appears so. In fact, there were many different names for this condition, and doctors treated it in many different ways. What’s interesting is that some of these treatments are still used today. This topic is interesting because it shows us how people dealt with their ailments at the time and how much medicine has progressed over time! Do you want more medical care content from the 19th century? Check out our medical care section!

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