Glossary of Old Medical Terms and Diseases

A ffrighted

Frightened to death. Probably a stress-induced heart attack or stroke.

Abasia

Hysterical inability to walk or stand.

Abdominal Angina

Term used to describe recurrent, severe and sudden abdominal pain in the elderly. It is used today to mean pain resulting from a poor blood supply to the bowel but in the past it could also mean diverticular disease/diverticulosis.

Abdominal Phthisis

Tuberculosis of the abdominal lymph nodes.

Abdominal Typhus

A type of typhus fever characterized by bluish spots appearing on the abdomen a few days after the disease is contracted.

Ablepsia/ Ablepsy

Blindness.

Abluent

A substance which thins, purifies, or sweetens the blood.

Ablution

Washing the body externally or internally with diluting fluids.

Abortus Fever

Brucellosis, a disease caught from cattle via milk resulting in a fever.

Abracadabra

A cabalistic word, used as a charm, and believed to have the power to cure illness and disease when written in a triangular arrangement and worn around the neck.

Abscess

A swelling in soft tissue filled with pus caused by an infection, such as a boil.

Abstracted-Medical Record

A record prepared for soldiers treated at medical facilities in posts, camps, and in the field, containing name, rank, unit, reason for treatment, and treatment time period.

Acetabulum

Hip Socket. A part of the pelvis.

Aches

Convulsions.

Achor

The scald head, a disease forming scaly eruptions, supposed to be critical evacuation of acrimonious humours; a species of herpes.

Acme

The period of full growth or mature age, often used in medical records to describe the maturity of a person.

Aconite

A medicine made from the dried root of the monkshood used to reduce fever, as a sedative, and as a painkiller.

Acromion

Bony prominence above the shoulder; the lateral (Away from the mid-line i.e. At the side) end of the spine of the scapula.

Acute

Means a condition of recent origin whereas chronic means of long standing.

Acute Mania

Severe insanity.

Addison’s Disease

Anaemic condition caused by kidney disease.  A disease characterised by severe weakness, low blood pressure, and a bronzed coloration of the skin, due to decreased secretion of cortisol from the adrenal gland.  Thomas Addison (1793-1860) described the disease in 1855.  Also called Morbus addisonii, bronzed skin disease.

Adynamia

Lack of movement or strength as a result of disease ; helplessness.

Aglutition

Inability to swallow, frequently found on death certificates.

Ague

Originally the feverish stage, but afterwards more usually the cold or shivering stage of an acute or violent fever; a malarial fever.

Ague Tree

Sassafras, a tree effective in reducing fevers.

Ague-Cake

A form of enlargement of the spleen, resulting from the action of malaria on the system.

Ainhum

Stricture resulting from minor cuts at the base of a digit eventually resulting in amputation.

Aksis

Access, an intense feeling of fever or ague.

Albuminuria

Presence of protein in the urine. Found in many kidney diseases e.g. Diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome.

Aleberry

A beverage used in England in the 1800’s of ale boiled with spice and sugar and bits of bread, sometimes used for invalids.

Aleppo Boil

Leishmaniasis.

Amaurosis

Blindness (partial or complete).

Amenorrhoea

Absence of menstruation. Usually applied to the reproductive years, so the usual cause is pregnancy.

Amentia

Feeble mindedness; a temporary, confused state of insanity.

Anaemia

Lack of sufficient red blood cells, sometimes caused by iron deficiency and worsened by the medical practice of bleeding patients for virtually every condition. Also known as green fever, green sickness. See also chlorosis.

Anaplerotic

A medicine which promotes the healing process, and helps renew flesh or wasted parts – often found in medical records.

Anascara

A form of dropsy where there is swelling just beneath the skin which produces a very puffed appearance of the flesh over a large surface of the body.

Anchyloses

Stiff joint.

Ancome

An ulcerous swelling, a boil.

Aneurysm

A local ballooning of a blood vessel. Usually an artery.

Angina

Literally means choking. [1] Often used for angina pectoris i.e. Pain from the heart. [2] The general name of the diseases called sore throat, as quinsy, scarlet fever, croup, mumps, etc.

Angina Pectoris

A dangerous disease, with paroxysms characterized by sudden and severe pain in the lower chest, with a feeling of suffocation.

Anidrosis

Too little perspiration.

Anodyne

A drug which will dull pain, analgesic.

Anthelmintic

Something used to expel or destroy intestinal worms.

Anthracosis

Lung disease caused by inhalation of coal dust. A form of pneumoconiosis.

Anthrax

Carbuncle or large painful boil.

Antifebrile

A medicine able to abate or cure fever.

Antiparalytic

A medicine used to help palsy victims.

Antiperiodic

A medicine which prevented the periodic return of certain diseases, such as malaria.

Antipestilential

A substance that will counteract or stop contagion or infection.

Antiphlogistic

A remedy used for inflammations.

Antiscorbutic

A remedy used to fight scurvy.

Antisialogogue

A medicine used to decrease a heavy flow of saliva.

Antispasmodic

A medicine used to reduce muscle cramps or spasms.

Antisyphilitic

A medicine used to cure syphilis.

Aphonia

Laryngitis.

Aphtha

The infantile disease thrush.

Aphthous Stomatitis

Mouth ulcer. See also canker.

Apoplex / Apoplexy

Stroke or the paralysis resulting from a stroke.

Arachnitis

Inflammation of membranes in the brain.

Ascites

Dropsy. Abnormal collection of fluid within the abdomen. Often due to liver disease, especially secondary cancer, but can result from heart or kidney failure.

Asfetidia

A short perennial herb that produces a resinous gum used as an antispasmodic and flavouring.

Asphycsia /Asphicsia

Cyanotic (lack of oxygen).

Asthenia

See debility.

Asylum

A place of refuge for the care of orphans and, more usually, for the confinement of the insane.

Ataxia

Inability to co-ordinate movement i.e. Clumsiness.

Atheroma

Slow degeneration of arteries when fatty deposits collect on the inner lining.

Atrophy

Wasting away or diminishing in size.

Axes

The ague; generally, fits or attacks.

Bacteremia

Blood poisoning.

Bad Blood

Syphilis.

Balm

An aromatic substance consisting of resin mixed with volatile oils, much prized for its fragrance and medicinal properties.

Balsam

An aromatic oily medicine used for external application to heal wounds or soothe pain.

Barber's Itch

Infection of the hair follicles of the beard area. May be impetigo.

Barrel Fever

Sickness produced by immoderate drinking.

Beal

A pimple; a pustule.

Bechic

Pectoral; a medicine for relieving coughs.

Bedehouse

A hospital; an alms house.

Belladonna

A medicine to calm the digestive system, derived from the Deadly Nightshade plant.

Bethlehem

A hospital for the mentally ill.

Bethlehemite

A mentally ill person.

Bilharzia

Prevalent in the Caribbean, this is known as Schistosomiasis today. Causes a rash or itchy skin. Fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches. 

Bilious

Having an undue amount of bile.

Bilious Colic Or Fever

A term loosely applied to certain intestinal and malarial fevers. Typhoid. Hepatitis. Elevated temperature and bile emesis. See typhus.

Bilious Fever

Typhoid, malaria, hepatitis or high temperature and bile emesis. Also, what we call Yellow Jaundice, today.

Biliousness

Nausea, abdominal pains, headache, and constipation.  Also, jaundice associated with liver disease.

Bistoury

Surgical instrument for making incisions.

Bitters

A tonic made of alcohol and a vegetable infusion.

Black Death Or Black Plague

Bubonic plague, an infectious fever caused by the bacillus Yersinia pestis transmitted by the rat flea.   The disease in man has three clinical forms bubonic, in which there is swelling of the lymph nodes (buboes); pneumonic, in which the lungs are extensively involved; and septicaemia, in which the bloodstream is infected so rapidly that death occurs before the bubonic or pneumonic symptoms have appeared.  The Black Death in Europe killed about one quarter of the population between 1347 and 1351.  The Great Plague in England was 1664-1665 and is described in the diaries of Samuel Pepys.  It killed 70,000 out of a population of 460,000 in the London area. Also called pestis.

Black Fever

Acute infection with high temperature and dark red skin lesions and high mortality rate.

Black Jaundice

Wiel's disease, a bacterial infection of the liver carried by rats, which can affect farmers and sewage workers.

Black Lung

Disease from breathing coal dust, typical of coal miners' death certificates.

Black Plague Or Black Death

Bubonic plague.

Black Pox

Black Small pox

Black Small Pox/Black Vomit

Vomiting old black blood due to ulcers or yellow fever.

Black Vomit

Vomiting caused by the presence of old blood in the stomach due to conditions such as a bleeding ulcer or yellow fever.

Black- Pudding

A food made of blood and grain.

Blackwater Fever

Dark urine associated with high temperature. Severe form of malaria in which the urine contains so much blood it appears black.

Bladder In Throat

Diphtheria.

Blood Poisoning

Bacterial infection; septicaemia.

Blood Stone

A stone worn as an amulet and thought to be a preventive for nosebleeds.

Bloody Flux

Dysentery involving a discharge of blood. Bloody stools.

Bloody Sweat

A sweat accompanied by a discharge of blood; a disease called sweating sickness.

Bloughty

Swollen.

Boil

An abscess of skin or painful inflammation of the skin or a hair follicle usually caused by a staphylococcal infection. Also known as: furuncle.

Bone Shave

Sciatica.

Bowel Complaint

Any gastrointestinal disorder.

Brain Fever

Meningitis.

Break Bone / Break Bone Fever

Dengue fever.

Bright's Disease

Bright's disease is a catch-all for kidney diseases/disorders. It was used as late as 1913, but is no longer used by physicians. In its acute form, it was often called nephritis.

Bronchial Asthma

A difficulty in breathing, caused by spasm of the bronchi i.e. The tubes of the lungs.

Bronchial Catarrh

Acute bronchitis.

Bronchocele

Enlarged thyroid gland.

Bronze John

Yellow fever.

Brucellosis

Disease resulting from drinking contaminated milk. Causes a feverish illness of variable duration often with joint problems and frequently depression.

Bubo

Inflamed, enlarged or painful gland in the groin. A symptom of bubonic plague.

Bule

Boil tumour or swelling.

Bursa

Small sac (closed bag) made of fibrous tissue and filled with a fluid. Usually occur close to a joint and allow moving surfaces like bones and tendons to move around each other with less friction.

Bursten

Hernia or rupture.

Caccagague

An ointment made of alum and honey, used as a laxative.

Cachæmia

Any blood disease.

Cachexy

An extreme condition of the body caused by malnutrition.

Cacogastric

An upset stomach.

Cacopathy

A severe affliction or malady.

Cacospysy

Irregular pulse.

Cacotrophy

Condition of the body due to poor nutrition.

Caduceus

Subject to falling sickness or epilepsy.

Calefacient

A medical agent that produces warmth or a sense of heat.

Caligo

Dimming of the sight.

Calmative

Sedative.

Calomel

A purgative or laxative made from mercurous chloride.

Camp Fever / Camp Diarrhoea

Typhus.

Camphor

An odorous substance used in pharmacy products, formerly as an anaphrodisiac.

Camphor Cerate

A preparation for external application consisting of wax, camphor, and other medicinal ingredients used in treating colds.

Cancer

A malignant and invasive growth or tumour. In the nineteenth century, cancerous tumours tended to ulcerate, grew constantly, and progressed to a fatal end and that there was scarcely a tissue they would not invade. Also known as: malignant growth, carcinoma.

Cancrum Otis

An erosive ulcer of the cheek and lip resulting from poor hygiene.  It was often seen in young children and could be fatal as it led to gangrene of the facial tissues.  Also called canker, water canker, noma, gangrenous stomatitis, gangrenous ulceration of the mouth.

Candida

Thrush – a fungal infection.

Canine Madness

Hydrophobia (rabies).

Canker

Ulceration of mouth or lips or herpes simplex.

Canker Rash

Scarlet Fever, also called Scarlatina.

Cankery

Gangrenous.

Carbuncle

A large boil. Skin cancer or other tumour.

Carcinoma

Cancer.

Cardiac Insufficiency

Where the heart is no longer able to pump efficiently. It may be a consequence of a heart attack or of damage to the valves.

Carditis

Inflammation of the heart.

Catalepsy

A disease characterized by a seizure or trance wherein sensation and consciousness are suspended.

Catamenia

The menstrual discharge or menstruation.

Cataplasm

A poultice.

Catarrh

Inflammation of the mucous membrane which caused profuse running of the eyes and nose.

Catarrh- Epidemic

Influenza.

Catarrhal

Nose and throat discharge from cold or allergy.

Catarrhal Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis.

Cathartic

A purgative or strong laxative.

Causary

Dismissal from military service due to ill health.

Cephalic

A medicine for headache or other disorders of the head.

Cerebritis

Inflammation of cerebrum or lead poisoning.

Cerebrospinal Fever

See meningitis.

Chalkstones

Skin swellings near joints seen in gout - Tophus. Rheumatoid arthritis or nodules.

Charnel House

A vault or house under or near a church where bones of the dead are kept.

Chilblain

Swelling of extremities caused by exposure to cold.

Childbed Fever

Septic poisoning which sometimes followed the birth of a child. Also called Puerperal Fever.

Chin Cough

Whooping cough.

Chiropodist

One who treats diseases of the hands and feet.

Chloasma

Brownish freckly discolouration of the skin. Mostly seen in pregnancy.

Chlorosis

Iron deficiency anaemia. Also, a number of other diseases such as leukaemia, that were not recognized at the time. See also Green-Sickness.

Choak

Croup.

Cholagogue

A medicine for diminishing excess bile.

Cholecystitus

Inflammation of the gall bladder.

Cholelithiasis

Stones in the gall bladder or bile duct.

Cholera

Acute severe contagious diarrhoea with intestinal lining sloughing.

Cholera Infantum

A common, non-contagious diarrhœa of young children, occurring in summer or autumn. Death frequently occurred in three to five days.

Cholera Morbus

Illness with vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevated temperature, etc. Possibly appendicitis.

Chorea

Disease characterized by convulsions, contortions and dancing.

Chrisome

A child in the first month of life.

Chronic

Of long standing as opposed to acute.

Clap

Gonorrhoea.

Clap- Doctor

One who is skilled in healing the clap, a venereal disease (gonorrhoea).

Clyster

An enema.

Cold Plague

Ague ( a cold) which is characterized by chills.

Colic

Convulsive pain in the abdomen or bowels. An abdominal pain and cramping.

Commotion

Concussion.

Confined

Constipated.

Congestion

An excessive or abnormal accumulation of blood or other fluid in a body part or blood vessel. Any collection of fluid in an organ, like the lungs.

Congestive Chills

Malaria with diarrhoea.

Congestive Fever

Malaria.

Consumption

Pulmonary tuberculosis; a wasting away of the body.

Contagious Pyrexia

Dysentery.

Convulsions

Severe contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular contractions of the extremities, trunk, and head. See epilepsy.

Coqueluche

An epidemic of catarrh; later, of whooping cough.

Cordial

That which suddenly invigorates the system and stimulates the action of the heart or blood circulation; any medicine which increases strength or raises the spirits.

Corpse Viewer

A coroner.

Correction House

A facility to provide rehabilitation for the insane and petty lawbreakers.

Corruption

Infection.

Coryza

A cold.  See also catarrh.

Costiveness

Constipation.

Cow Pox

A non-fatal disease similar to smallpox, affecting cattle and transmissible to humans. Used to produce the first vaccinations.

Cramp Colic

Appendicitis.

Cretinism

Congenital hypothyroidism.

Crop Sickness

Sickness from an overextended stomach, usually from excess eating or drinking.

Croup

Laryngitis, diphtheria, or strep throat.

Crusted Tetter

Impetigo.

Cupping

Drawing blood using a cup from which the air has been removed.

Cut Of The Stone

The surgical removal of a bladder stone.

Cyanosis

Blueness of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Cynanche

Diseases of the throat, characterized by inflammation, swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Cynanche Maligna

Putrid sore throat.

Cynanche Parotidaea

Mumps.

Cynanche Pharyngaea

Inflammation of the pharynx.

Cynanche Tonsillaris

Inflammatory sore throat, See quinsy.

Cynanche Trachealis

See croup.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

Cystotomy

The act of opening encysted tumours to discharge morbid matter.

Dancing Madness

An epidemic characterized by contortions, convulsions, and dancing. Also called Saint Vitus' Dance, or Chorea.

Daturine

A drug used to treat seizures and mental disorders.

Day Fever

Fever of a day's duration or coming on in the daytime, also called sweating sickness.

Debility

Lack of movement or staying in bed.

Decedent

A deceased person.

Decrepitude

Feebleness and decay due to old age.

Decubitis

Died in bed.

Delirium Tremens

A condition found in persons whose use of alcohol is excessive resulting in hallucinations, both visual and auditory.

Dementia Praecox

Schizophrenia, a mental disorder characterised by disordered thinking and auditory hallucinations.

Dengue

An acute infectious fever, characterized by excruciating pain in the joints but seldom proving fatal.

Dentition

Cutting of teeth.

Deplumation

A tumour of the eyelids which results in loss of hair.

Diaphoretic

A medicine or preparation that induces perspiration.

Diaphragmatitis

Inflammation of the diaphragm.

Diary Fever

A fever that lasts one day.

Diet- Drink

Medicated liquors or drink prepared with medicinal ingredients.

Digitalis

A medicine used as a heart stimulant, prepared from the fox- glove.

Diptheria/Diphtheria

Contagious disease of the throat.

Distemper

Disturbed condition of the body or mind; ill health, illness; a mental or physical disorder; a disease or ailment.

Dock Fever

Yellow fever.

Domestic Illness

Mental breakdown, depression.

Dropsy

Abnormal swelling of the body or part of the body due to the build-up of clear watery fluid. Edema (swelling), often caused by kidney or heart disease.

Dropsy Of The Brain

Encephalitis.

Dry Bellyache

Lead poisoning.

Dyscrasy

An ill habit or state of the bodily humours; an abnormal condition of the body.

Dysentery

Inflammation of colon with frequent passage of mucous and blood.

Dysorexy

A diminished appetite.

Dysphasia

Difficulty in speech.

Dysury

Difficulty in discharging urine, accompanied by pain and a sensation of heat.

Earth-Bath

A medical treatment in which the patient was buried up to the shoulders in the ground.

Eclampsia

Historically used as a general term for convulsions. Today identified with convulsions arising from toxæmia accompanying pregnancy.

Ecstasy

A form of catalepsy characterized by loss of reason.

Edema

Nephrosis; swelling of tissues.

Edema Of Lungs

Congestive heart failure, a form of dropsy.

Edematous

Swelling with a serous humour; dropsical.

Eel Thing

Erysipelas.

Effluvia

Exhalations. In the mid-nineteenth century, they were called "vapours" and distinguished into the contagious effluvia, such as rubella (measles); marsh effluvia, such as miasmata.

Elephantiasis

A form of leprosy, so called from the skin being covered with incrustations, marked by a thickening and greasiness of the legs, loss of hair and feeling, swelling of the face, and a hoarse nasal voice.

Elixir

A drug or medicine supposed to have the power to prolong life; cure- all; eventually, quack medicine.

Emphysema

A chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs, characterised by shortness of breath, hacking cough, cyanosis and a "barrel-shaped" chest.

Encephalitis

Swelling of the brain. Also known as sleeping sickness.

Endocarditis

Disease of the heart valves that can result from rheumatic fever.

Enteric Fever

Typhoid fever.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the intestines, could also take the form of Enteric Fever (Typhoid). Usually acute rather than chronic.

Enterocolitis

Inflammation of the intestines.

Epilepsy

A disorder of the nervous system, characterised either by mild, episodic loss of attention or sleepiness or by severe convulsions with loss of consciousness.

Epistaxis

A nose bleed.

Epithelial

Of or pertaining to epithelium, cancerous cells.

Epithelioma

Cancer of the skin.

Ergot

A fungal disease of edible grasses. When ingested, the fungus can infect humans, producing either convulsions or gangrene.

Erysipelas

An acute streptococcal infection of the skin characterised by a spreading, deep-red inflammation. Contagious skin disease, due to Streptococci with vesicular and bulbous lesions.

Euphoria

Inappropriate affect - as in laughing when you shouldn't brought on by shell shock, battle fatigue, post engagement stress syndrome.

Excrescence

An unnatural or disfiguring out-growth of the skin.

Extravasated Blood

Rupture of a blood vessel.

Fainting Fits

Probably a euphemism for epilepsy.

Falling Sickness

Epilepsy.

Fatty Liver

Cirrhosis of liver.

Febrifuge

Any substance such as a plant, root, or herb that reduces fever.

Febrile

Being feverish or having a high temperature.

Felon

An infection on the end of a finger or toe.

Fermacy

A pharmacy.

Fever Powder

A remedy for subduing or curing fever.

Fibrinous Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis; Possibly asthma.

Fistula

An abnormal passage from an abscess or cavity to the skin or to another abscess.

Fits

Sudden attack or seizure of muscle activity.

Fleam

Surgical knife used for opening veins for letting blood.

Flux

Dysentery. An excessive flow or discharge of fluid like haemorrhage or diarrhea.

Flux Of Humour

Circulation.

Foetor Oris

Bad breath.

Foramen

Medical term for a hole.

French Pox

Syphilis.

Frogg

Croup.

Furuncle

A small tumour or boil, with inflammation and pain, under the skin.

G.P.I.

General paralysis of the insane. The third and final stage of syphilis which may not occur until many years after the primary phase.

Galloping Consumption

Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Gangrene

Death and decay of tissue in a part of the body-usually a limb-due to injury, disease, or failure of blood supply. Also called mortification.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach.

Gastrocele

A ruptured stomach.

Gathering

A collection of pus; an abscess.

General Paralysis Of The Insane

Syphilis affecting the brain.

Glandular Fever

Mononucleosis.

Gleet

See catarrh.

Glomerulonephritis

A once relatively common childhood kidney disease that causes the kidney to leak protein. This is a secondary (allergic) reaction to certain kinds of strep infections. Also called Protein Disease.

Glossitis

Inflammation of the tongue.

Goiter

Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland, visible as swelling at the front of the neck that is often associated with iodine deficiency. Common in many hill-folk along the Appalachian mountain chain.

Goitre

Swelling of the thyroid caused by shortage of iodine in the diet. Also known as Derbyshire neck.

Goitre Endocarditis

Inflammation of the endocardium and valves. The most common causes are rheumatic and septicæmia.

Gout

Painful inflammation caused by a build-up of uric acid in the tissues.

Gravel

A disease characterised by small stones which are formed in the kidneys, passed along the ureters to the bladder, and expelled with the urine.  See also stranguary.  Also called kidney stone.  Sandy matter concreted in the kidneys.

Graves Disease

Disorder of the thyroid gland.

Great Pox

Syphilis.

Green Fever / Green Sickness

Anaemia, a disease of young women giving the complexion a greenish tinge. Also called Chlorosis.

Grip, Gripe Or Grippe

An old term for influenza.

Grocer's Itch

Skin disease caused by mites in sugar or flour.

Hæmatemesis

Vomiting blood from the stomach. The blood is often stale and therefore contains coagulated particles resembling coffee grains.

Haematuria

Passing blood in the urine.

Haemoptysis

Spitting blood.

Haemorrhoids

Piles.

Hallucination

Delirium.

Headmouldshot

When the sutures of the skull, generally the coronal, have their edges shot over one another, which is frequent in infants and occasions convulsions and death. Such injury would result from difficulties in childbirth. Ricketts caused by vitamin D deficiency in addition to causing bowlegs also caused deformations of the pelvis. In a woman this could make childbirth more difficult than usual. The obstetric forceps were introduced into more general use in the middle of the 18th century.

Heat Sickness

A condition marked especially by cessation of sweating and extremely high body temperature, caused by a loss of salt from the body.

Heat Stroke

Body temperature elevates because of surrounding environment temperature and body does not perspire to reduce temperature. Coma and death result if not reversed.

Hectic Fever/Hectical Complaint

A daily recurring fever with profound sweating, chills, and flushed appearance, often associated with pulmonary tuberculosis or septic poisoning.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Hematuria

A discharge of bloody urine.

Hemiphlegy

Palsy or paralysis that affects one side of the body.

Hemoptysis

Spitting up blood from the larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver.

Herpes Zoster

Shingles.

Hip Gout

Osteomyelitis.

Hives

 An allergic skin disorder, often attended by severe itching.  Also called cynanche trachealis.

Horrors

Delirium tremens.

Hospital Fever

See typhus.

Humour

The term often used to mean blood.

Huntington’s Chorea

A nervous disorder, accompanied by increasing mental deterioration.

Hydro Pericardium

Heart dropsy.

Hydrocele

Dropsy of the testicles.

Hydrocephalus

Enlarged head from accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, water on the brain.

Hydropericardium

Collection of fluid around the heart resulting in constriction of the heart itself.

Hydrophobia

Literally a fear of water which is a symptom of rabies.

Hydropsy

The full name of dropsy.

Hydrothorax

Dropsy in the chest; an abnormal amount of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Hyertropy Of Heart

Enlargement of the heart.

Hypertrophic

Enlargement of organ, like the heart.

Hysteritis

Inflammation of the womb.

Hysterotomy

A Caesarean section.

Ichor

Leakage of fluid from a sore or wound.

Icterus

Jaundice.

Ileus

An obstruction of the intestines resulting in severe constipation and pain.

Impetigo

Any of certain contagious skin diseases characterized by the eruption of pustules, caused by staphylococci.

Imposthume

 A collection of purulent matter in a bag or cyst.

Impostume

Abscess.

Inanition

Decline from inadequate nourishment; starvation.

Infantile Paralysis

Polio.

Infection

Long before Pasteur discovered that infections were caused by micro-organisms there was an appreciation that disease could be passed from person to person called the contagion theory. There was a competing theory that held that diseases were spread by bad smells, hence the use of scented posies to guard against plague.  Both theories were inadequate but had some elements of truth in that the presence of a bad smell indicates rotting matter from which an infection might be transmitted by contaminated water or by flies to food. Other infections are passed by direct physical contact such as venereal disease and some by droplets in the air from coughs and sneezes such as pulmonary tuberculosis. See also Miasma.

Inflammation

Redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body. In the last century, cause of death often was listed as inflammation of a body organ, such as, brain or lung, but this was purely a descriptive term and is not helpful in identifying the actual underlying disease.

Intermittent Fever

Illness marked by episodes of fever with return to completely normal temperature; usually malaria.

Intestinal Colic

Pain throughout the abdomen, usually caused by an improper diet.

Intussusception

The condition where part of the intestine has slipped into another part just below it.

Ischaemia

Deficient blood supply to an organ.

Jail Fever

Typhus.

Jalap

A purgative medicine made from the root of the Mexican jelap.

Jaundice

Condition caused by blockage of intestines, characterized by yellowness of the skin, fluids, and tissues, and by constipation, loss of appetite, and weakness.

Jawfaln

Literally a fallen jaw also referred to as a locked jaw. Possibly tetanus.

Kakke

Beriberi.

Kidney Stone

See gravel.

King's Evil

Scrofula, a tubercular infection of the throat; Tuberculosis of neck and lymph glands

Kink

Fit of coughing or choking.

Kruchhusten

Whooping cough.

La Grippe/Le Grippe

Flu, Influenza, also known as Gripe.

Laryngismus Stridulus

A condition, usually associated with boys under the age of two afflicted with rickets, in which the muscles of the voice box go into spasms causing shortness of breath and a ‘crowing’ sound.

Laudanum

Any of various pain killing preparations in which opium was the main ingredient.

Lazaretto

A hospital, building, or a ship where diseased persons are quarantined.

Lead Poisoning

This was common in the 18th and 19th centuries for two reasons; workers were exposed to lead in pottery glazes and paints or other industries extracting or using the metal. In addition, some lead salts were used in medicine before the dangers were appreciated. (Sugar of lead is lead acetate). Lead and its compounds causes nerve and brain damage resulting in paralysis, and mental disorders. In addition, it causes anaemia and a blue line on the gums. Analysis of a sample of Beethoven's hair in 2000 showed that he had been exposed to lead, probably from medicines. The book Purple Secret describes the illness of George III, which is now attributed on genetic and medical evidence to porphyria. However, the book does not point out the widespread use of lead in medicines of the period or describe the symptoms which would ensue, some of which are similar to those seen with lead poisoning.

Leech

A physician; a leech used for drawing blood.

Lent- Evil

The ague.

Leprosy

A chronic bacterial disease affecting mainly skin and nerves. If untreated, there can be progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.

Lethargy

 A morbid drowsiness; a sleep from which one cannot be kept awake.  The term appears to have had a more precise meaning and would seem akin to what we would call coma.

Lientery

Diarrhoea in which the faeces contain undigested food.

Livergrown

Having a great liver.  Possibly as a result of high alcohol consumption.

Lockjaw

Tetanus or infectious disease affecting the muscles of the neck and jaw. Fatal if untreated in 8 days.

Locomotor Ataxia

Disease of the nervous system which results in inability to walk.

Long Sickness

Tuberculosis.

Lues Disease

Syphilis.

Lues Venera

Venereal disease.

Lumbago

A pain in the loins and small of the back, such as precedes certain fevers.

Lunatic

Mad, having the imagination influenced by the moon.

Lunatic Asylum

Mental hospital.

Lung Fever

Pneumonia.

Lung Sickness

Tuberculosis, see consumption.

Lupus Erythematosus 

A chronic disease causing degeneration of connective tissue. It causes red skin lesions, inflammation of joints and lesions of the internal organs. Female sufferers have difficulty in carrying a child.

Lupus Vulgaris

A chronic tubercular infection of the skin involving soft yellow swellings, ulcers and abscesses. Also called common lupus.

Lying In

Refers to the period around childbirth. The process of childbirth is commonly called parturition.

Madstone 

A small porous stone which supposedly absorbed venom from a snake bite and cured hydrophobia (rabies).         

Malaria

A disease caused by parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, transmitted by the bites of insects.  Also called ague, congestive fever, marsh fever, paroxysmal fever, remitting fever.

Malignant Fever

See typhus.

Malignant Pustule

Anthrax

Malignant Sore Throat

Diphtheria.

Mania

Insanity.

Mania Puerperium 

A mental disorder affecting new mothers.

Marasmus

A disease characterized by progressive deterioration of body tissue, usually due to severe malnutrition or protracted intestinal disorders.

Meagrom, Megrim

A severe headache, often limited to one side of the head.

Measles

An infectious viral disease marked by rash of red circular spots.  A critical eruption in a fever.

Medulla

The marrow in the centre of a long bone. The soft internal portion of glands. e.g. Kidney, lymph nodes, thymus.

Melancholia

Sadness or depression. Literally it means black bile; the ancient Greeks associated four personality types with body fluids - sanguine (dominant fluid blood) choleretic (bile), phelgmatic (phlegm) and melancholic (black bile).

Melanuric 

Malarial fever, black- water fever.

Membranous Croup

Hoarse cough, diphtheria.

Menagogue

A medicine that promotes menstrual flux.

Meningitis 

Inflation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.

Menorrhagia

Flooding, excessive menstrual bleeding.

Mesentery

A large fold of peritoneum, passing between a portion of intestine and the posterior abdominal wall.

Meteorism

Flatulent distension of the abdomen with gas in the gut.

Metritis

Inflammation of uterus or purulent vaginal discharge.

Miasma

Poisonous vapour formerly supposed to arise from decomposing animal or vegetable matter, swamps, etc., and infect the air.

Midwife 

A woman experienced in the birthing process who helps other women in the birth of a child.

Miliary Fever

Small pustules or vesicles on the skin, so called as they resemble millet seed.

Milk Fever

Disease from drinking contaminated milk, like undulant fever or brucellosis.

Milk Leg

A painful swelling of the leg at childbirth caused by inflammation and clotting in the veins. Post-partum thrombophlebitis.

Milk Sick / Sickness

Not actually a disease, but a form of poisoning caused by cows ingesting leaves of the white snakeroot plant and passing along the toxin in their milk.

Morbilli

Measles.

Morbus

Disease.

Morbus Addisonii

Addison's disease.

Morbus Cordis

Heart disease. A catch-all phrase for death by natural causes when the exact cause was not evident.

Mormal

Gangrene.

Morphew

Scurvy blisters on the body.

Morphine (Morphinism) 

A chronic intoxication due to the habitual use of morphine or of opium in some other form.

Morsal

Gangrene.

Mortification

Gangrene of necrotic tissue.

Myelitis 

Inflammation of the spinal cord or bone marrow.

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium).

Naples Disease

Another name for syphilis.

Natural Decay

Death through old age is frequently shown on death certificates as natural decay. Also called senile decay.

Necrosis 

The death of tissue; mortification, especially of the bones.

Nephritic

A purgative medicine to relieve or cure disorders of the kidneys, particularly gravel or stone in the bladder.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidneys, the acute form of Bright's Disease.

Nephrotomy 

The operation of extracting a stone from the kidney.

Nepritis

Inflammation of kidneys.

Nervine

A medicine for relief of nervous disorders.

Nervous Prostration

Extreme exhaustion from inability to control physical and mental activities.

Nettle Rash

Urticaria.

Neuralgia

Sharp and paroxysmal pain along the course of a sensory nerve. Discomfort such as headache was Neuralgia in head.

Neurasthenia

Neurotic condition characterized by worry, disturbances of digestion and circulation, and attributed to emotional conflict and feelings of inferiority.

Nostalgia

Homesickness.

Nostrum

A panacea or quack medicine, the ingredients of which were kept secret.

Onkotomy 

The opening of a tumour or abscess.

Opiate 

Any medicine that induces sleep or respite; a narcotic.

Opthalmitis

Inflammation of the eye.

Oriental Boil

See leishmaniasis.

Ossification 

The formation of bone; the process of becoming or changing into bone.

Osteo Sarcoma 

A disease or sarcoma of the bony tissue, characterized by a fleshy growth.

Osteopathy 

A theory of disease and method of cure based on the assumption that loss of structural integrity of the skeleton is the cause of most diseases.

Otitis

Inflammation of the ear.

Pachyderma

Thickening of the skin.

Palsy

The loss or defect of the power of voluntary muscular motion in all or part of the body; paralysis.

Paludismo

This is the name of Malaria in Puerto Rico.

Panacea 

A universal remedy for all diseases.

Pandemic 

Occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.

Paralysis Agitants

Parkinson's disease.

Paralysis Of The Insane

Syphilis. 

Paregoric

A camphorated tincture of opium that soothes or lessens pain.

Parenchyma

The tissue that performs the function of an organ as opposed to the tissue that provide support (this is called the stroma).

Paristhmitis

See quinsy.

Paroxysm 

A fit of higher excitement or emotion in a disease; convulsion.

Parrot’s Bill

A surgeon’s pincers.

Parturition

Labour or the process of childbirth.

Pellagra

Disease caused by eating spoiled maize.

Pemphigus 

A skin disease characterized by the formation of watery blisters.

Pepastic

A medicine that serves to help digestion.

Pericarditis 

Inflammation of the sac around the heart.

Peripneumonia 

Inflammation of the lungs.

Peritonotis

Inflammation of abdominal area

Pernicious Anæmia

Anæmia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Pertussis

Characterized by breathing difficulties, and in its worst stage, convulsions. Also called Whooping Cough, or Chin Cough.

Petechial Fever 

A small red or purple spot in the skin occurring in certain fevers.

Peurperal Exhaustion

Death due to childbirth.

Pharmacopoeist 

A person who sells medicines; an apothecary.

Phlebotomy

The act of opening a vein for letting blood.

Phlegmasia

General term for inflammation.

Phlegmasia Alba Dolens

Thrombosis of veins in the thigh usually seen after childbirth. See Milk Leg

Phrenitis

Formerly inflammation of the brain, with acute fever and delirium; inflammation of the diaphragm.

Phthiriasis

Infestation of lice.

Phthisis 

A progressive wasting away of the body, such as tuberculosis, pulmonary consumption, etc.

Pink Disease

Disease in children caused by mercury poisoning from the use of mercury salts in teething powders.

Pityriasis

A condition of the skin characterized by the formation and falling off of scales; dandruff.

Plague

An acute febrile highly infectious disease with a high fatality rate.

Pleurisie / Pleurisy / Pleuritis

Inflammation of the pleura, the membranous sac lining the chest cavity. Symptoms are chills, fever, dry cough, and pain in the affected side. Any pain in the chest area with each breath.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs with congestion or consolidation.

Podagra

Gout or pain in the feet.

Polio Intestinal Colic

Abdominal pain due to improper diet.

Poliomyelitis 

An inflammation of the anterior horn cells in the grey matter of the spinal cord; infantile paralysis; polio.

Porphyria

Rare metabolic disturbance that may cause mental damage in young children. It produces convulsions and delirium.

Potter’s Asthma

A form of fibroid phthisis to which persons exposed to the dust of the pottery industry are subject.

Potts Disease

Tuberculosis of the spine leading to degeneration of the vertebrae.

Poultice 

A soft, hot, moist substance as of flour, meal, bran, flax seed, or similar substances, applied to sores, or inflamed parts of the body.

Pox

Usually referred to syphilis, but also to any unknown disease that caused sores to appear on the body. A common curse through the ages was "A pox on you!"

Probang 

An instrument of whalebone and sponge used for removing obstructions in the throat.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

Protein Disease

Glomerulonephritis, a once relatively common childhood kidney disease that causes the kidney to leak protein. This is a secondary (allergic) reaction to certain kinds of strep infections.

Psoas Abscess

An abscess of the loin muscle, usually associated with tuberculosis.

Puerperal Exhaustion

The condition of which a woman died during childbirth.

Puerperal Fever

A fever arising after giving birth, also called child bed fever, caused by bacterial infection and commonly fatal until the introduction of sulphonamides and later antibiotics in the middle of the 20th century.

Puerperium 

A woman’s confinement during and immediately after childbirth.

Puking Fever 

Milk sickness.

Purples

This is a rash due to spontaneous bleeding into the skin. It may be a symptom of some severe illnesses, including bacterial endocarditis and cerebrospinal meningitis.

Purpura

This is a rash due to spontaneous bleeding into the skin i.e. Bruises. There are many causes. The age of the victim would be relevant.

Putrid Fever

Typhus Fever, Ship Fever, Diphtheria, transmitted by the bite of fleas and lice.

Putrid Sore Throat

Ulceration of an acute form, attacking the tonsils, see also Quinsy.

Pyaemia

Blood poisoning from pus in the blood.

Pyelitis

Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney.

Pyrexia

See dysentery.

Quinine

A bitter, crystalline alkaloid, extracted from cinchona bark, used especially in the treatment of malaria.

Quinsy 

An inflammation of the tonsils accompanied by the formation of pus.

Rag-Picker's Disease

Anthrax.

Remitting Fever

Malaria also called the ague.

Revulsion

The act of diverting humours or any cause of disease from one part of the body to another.

Rheumatism 

A painful disease affecting muscles and joints, chiefly the larger joints.

Rheumatismus

Rheumatism.

Rickets

Disease of the skeletal system resulting from a deficiency of calcium or Vitamin D in the diet, or from lack of sunlight.

Rigor 

A stiffness and rigidity of the body which does not respond to stimuli; shivering or trembling with a chill preceding a fever.

Rising Of The Lights

Croup - any obstructive condition of the larynx or trachea (windpipe), characterised by a hoarse, barking cough and difficult breathing, occurring chiefly in infants and children.

Rose Cold

Hay fever or nasal symptoms of an allergy.

Rose-Rash

Roseola or "false measles".

Roseola

Rash seen in the secondary stage of Syphilis.

Rotanny Fever

Children's disease.

Rubeola/Rubella

German measles.

Saint Anthony's Fire

Skin disease caused by strep infection which devastates the blood, also called Erysipelas

Saint Vitus' Dance

An epidemic characterized by contortions, convulsions, and dancing. Also called Dancing Madness, or Chorea

Sanguinous Crust 

A scab.

Sarcoma 

Cancer.

Saxifrage 

A medicine that has the property of dissolving stones in the bladder.

Scaldhead 

A scab infection of the head.

Scarlatina/ Scarlet Fever

A contagious disease noted by red rash.

Scarlatina 

Scarlet fever; commonly referred to as the canker rash.

Scarlet Fever

A disease in which the body is covered with a red rash first appearing on the neck and breast, and accompanied by a sore throat.

Scarlet Rash

Roseola.

Sciatica 

Rheumatism in the hip.

Scirrhus 

A cancerous tumour on any part of the body, usually made up of fibrous connective tissue.

Scotomy

Dizziness or nausea, with dimness of sight.

Scouring Or Scowring

Purging of the bowels, probably diarrhœa or dysentery.

Screws

Rheumatism.

Scrivener’s Palsy

Writer’s cramp.

Scrofula

A disease, called the King’s Evil, characterized by tumours in the glands of the neck; tuberculosis of lymph glands.

Scrofula Mesenterica

An internal non-pulmonary tuberculosis, resulting in a swollen abdomen, loss of appetite and a pale complexion.

Scrofula Or Scrofula Fugax

Primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those in the neck. A disease of children and young adults, it represents a direct extension of tuberculosis into the skin from underlying lymph nodes. It evolves into cold abscesses, multiple skin ulcers, and draining sinus tracts. Tuberculosis of neck lymph glands. Progresses slowly with abscesses and pustulas develop. Young person's disease. Possibly chicken pox.

Scrofula Vulgaris

An itchy rash associated with hospitals. Most probably a streptococcal infection.

Scrumpox 

A pustular disease of the skin; impetigo.

Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency disease, common on long voyages and characterised by softening of the gums, haemorrhages under the skin and general debility. It was found by the British naval surgeon, James Lind, in 1753 that it could be prevented by including citrus fruits in the diet. The practice was finally adopted by the British Navy in the 1790s. The use of limes led to British seaman being referred to as limeys. Also called scorbutus. An agent for treating scurvy is sometimes known as an antiscorbutic.

Scurvy 

A disease characterized by great debility, a pale bloated face, and bleeding spongy gums, indicant to persons who live confined, or on salted meats without fresh vegetables.

Septecemia

Blood poisoning (from an infection).

Septic

Infected, a condition of local or generalized invasion of the body by disease-causing germs.

Septicemia/Septicaemia

Blood poisoning.

Sequela

A diseased condition resulting from a previous sickness.

Shakes 

A convulsive trembling, often accompanying intermittent fever, alcoholism, etc.

Shaking 

The ague; a chill.

Shingles

A painful skin condition, commonly in older people, caused by the virus that produces chicken pox which can remain dormant in the body for many years.

Ship Fever

A form of typhus fever.

Simple Smiling Jesus

Spinal meningitis.

Sirasis 

An inflammation of the brain, caused by excessive heat of the sun; a frenzy peculiar to children.

Sloes 

Milk sickness.

Small Pox

Highly infectious viral disease producing pustules. Contagious disease with fever and blisters.

Smoker’s Patch

A smooth, white patch on the tongue due to excessive smoking.

Softening Of The Brain

Apoplexy. Result of stroke or haemorrhage in the brain, with an end result of the tissue softening in that area.

Sore Throat Distemper

Diphtheria or quinsy.

Spanish Disease

Syphilis.

Spanish Influenza

The variant of influenza that was responsible for the 1918 pandemic. Epidemic influenza.

Spasms

Sudden involuntary contraction of muscle or group of muscles, like a convulsion.

Spina Bifida 

A deformity of the base of the spine.

Spital

A hospital for the very poor and those having leprosy or other loathsome diseases.

Spittle

A hospital.

Splenic Fever

Anthrax in animals.

Splenitits

Inflammation of the spleen.

Spotted Fever

Cerebrospinal meningitis fever, characterized by inflammation of the cerebrospinal membranes; typhus.

Spring Nettle

Urticaria or Nettle rash.

Sprue

A chronic tropical disease characterized by anaemia, gastrointestinal disorders, sore throat, etc.

St Anthony's Fire

Skin disease caused by toxins from ergot infection. Sometimes used for erysipelas and other diseases producing a reddening of the skin.

St Vitus Dance

Chorea. Ceaseless occurrence of rapid complex jerking movements performed involuntary.

Stomatitis 

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth.

Stranger’s Fever 

Yellow fever.

Strangury

Painful urination. It may occur after labour, but is more often the result of disease in the bladder or urethra.

Strophulus

Sweat rash ; prickly heat.

Struma 

Goiter or scrofula.

Strumous

Swollen (tissue or organ).

Stuffing

Croup.

Sudor Anglicus

Sweating sickness.

Summer Complaint

Diarrhea, usually in infants caused by spoiled milk.

Sunstroke

Uncontrolled elevation of body temperature due to environment heat. Lack of sodium in the body is a predisposing cause.

Suppuration

The production of pus.

Surfet Or Surfeit

Vomiting from overeating or gluttony.

Surgeon

A person who served as a barber, as well as one who practiced medicine.

Swamp Fever

Could be malaria, typhoid or Encephalitis.

Swamp Sickness

Malaria, typhoid or encephalitis.

Sweating Sickness 

An acute, infectious, rapidly fatal disease epidemic in England in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Sycosis Barbæ

Infection of the hair follicles of the beard area.

Syncope

A fainting or loss of consciousness caused by a temporary deficiency of blood to the brain.

Synochus

Fever.

Syphilis

Long lasting contagious venereal disease caused by bacterium Treponema pallidum, characterised by three stages, primary, secondary and tertiary. It is infectious only in the primary phase, lasting 2 to 3 months, when it is characterised by genital sores.  Also called French Pox, Lues, Bad Blood, Great Pox, Morbus Gallicus, Naples disease, Spanish disease. See also G.P.I.

Syphilitica 

Pertaining to the disease syphilis.

Syringitis

Inflammation of the Eustachian tube.

Tabes Dorsalis

Syphilis of the spinal cord.

Tabes Mesenterica

Tuberculosis of the mesenteric glands in children, resulting in digestive derangement and wasting of the body.

Tabes 

Slow progressive emaciation of the body or its parts.

Tansy 

A bitter and aromatic plant, used to reduce fever.

Tartar Emetic 

A poisonous, white, crystalline salt used to increase perspiration and cause coughing, spitting, and vomiting.

Teeth / Teething

Death of an infant when teething. Children appear to have been more susceptible to infection during this time, although malnutrition from being fed watered milk has also been suggested as a cause.

Tenesmus

Painful and unsuccessful desire to defaecate; cramp form the muscles of the anal sphincter.

Tetanus

An infectious disease which attacks the muscles of the neck and lower jaw, caused by the tetanus bacillus, a germ which ordinarily infests the intestines of cattle or horses.

Tetter

Any of various skin diseases, such as eczema and impetigo.

Thrombosis 

A clot formation inside a blood vessel.

Thrush

A disease, usually contracted by children, caused by a fungus and characterized by milky- white lesions on the membranes of the mouth, lips, and throat.

Tincture

A substance with medicinal properties, usually in an alcoholic solvent.

Tinea Sycosis

Infection of the hair follicles of the beard area.

Tissick

Cough.

Toxemia Of Pregnancy

Eclampsia; high blood pressure and seizures.

Trembles

A disease of cattle and sheep caused by eating any of various poisonous weeds and characterized by muscular tremors and a stumbling gait.

Trench Mouth

Painful ulcers found along gum line, Caused by poor nutrition and poor hygiene.

Trismus Nascentium Or Neonatorum

A form of tetanus seen only in infants, almost invariably in the first five days of life.

Tuberculosis

This is the modern name. Previous 'Long Sickness', 'Lung Sickness', and 'King's Evil'. Bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs, but which may also affect the kidneys, bones, lymph nodes, and brain. Symptoms of TB include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills, and fatigue.

Tussis Convulsiva

Whooping cough.

Tympany

A kind of obstructed flatulence that swells the body like a drum.

Typhoid / Thyphoid Fever

Typhoid fever is contracted when people eat food or drink water that has been infected. It is recognized by the sudden onset of sustained fever, severe headache, nausea and severe loss of appetite. It is sometimes accompanied by hoarse cough and constipation or diarrhœa.

Typhus

Infectious fever characterized high fever, headache, and dizziness.

Ulceration

Loss of the surface covering, such as of skin or the mucous lining of the intestine.

Undulant Fever

Brucellosis, an infectious fever contracted from contaminated milk.

Varicella

Chicken pox.

Variola

Smallpox.

Varioloid

A mild form of variola (smallpox) occurring in a person who has had a previous attack or who has been vaccinated.

Venesection

Bleeding, or bloodletting; the opening of a vein for releasing Bad Humours. Also called Phlebotomy.

Vermifuge 

Serving to expel worms and other parasites from the intestinal tract.

Viper's Dance

St. Vitus dance.

Volvulus

Rotation of a section of intestine such as may result from the coiling of one loop of intestine with another. Circulation of the parts is seriously interfered with causing strangulation.

Wasting

Destructive to health or vigour, as a disease; wasting palsy; progressive muscular atrophy.  

Water On Brain

Enlarged head.

White Leg

See milk leg.

White Swelling

Tuberculosis of the bone.

Whitlow

Ulcerous swelling, a boil. Also called Ancome.

Whooping Cough

A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is characterized in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations.

Winter Fever

Pneumonia.

Wolf

A rapidly expanding growth, probably a malignant tumour.

Womb Fever

Infection of the uterus.

Wool Sorters' Disease

Anthrax, a disease formerly found in farm animals that could be transmitted to man. Now rare in developed countries but common in Central Asia.

Worm Fever

May have been used to indicate a fever or enteritis during which worms were passed in the faeces. It is given as a cause of death of children in the early 19th century.

Worm Fit 

Infantile convulsions, usually a reflex action associated with teething, worms, rickets, fever, or diarrhoea.

Worms

Any of the various ailments caused by the working of a worm or resulting in a worm shaped tumour or growth. 

Yellow Fever

An acute, often-fatal, infectious febrile disease of warm climates—caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, especially Aledes ægypti, and characterised by liver damage and jaundice, fever, and protein in the urine. In 1900 Walter Reed and others in Panama found that mosquitoes transmit the disease. Clinicians in. The late nineteenth century recognised "specific yellow fever" as being different from "malarious yellow fever." The latter supposedly was a form of malaria with liver involvement but without urine involvement.

Yellowjacket

Yellow fever.