Need ideas for the blog

[Leyland]

I often read terms for historical or non-contemporary diseases, disorders or other ailments that sound so fanciful, for want of a better description. The origins of some of them are obvious such as breakbone for dengue fever. But I wonder about the origin of the names for many current health issues we modern readers would know about that are no longer used. Where did the term consumption for TB originate, or dropsy for edema or screws for rheumatism?

An idea for a blog might be an explanation of the origins of the terms used for some of the major diseases and ailments prior to contemporary use.

[Divia]

This might go with the midwives n such but what about childbed fever.

[Holly Tucker]

Great suggestions, thanks thanks thanks! It looks like birth control wins the day. I'll put that on the top of my "to do" list.

And I'd love to hear more about the apothecary in New Orleans. Sounds fascinating!

Holly
http://www.wondersandmarvels.com

[Volgadon]

Witchdoctors. I don't mean savages in jungles jumping up and down with scary masks and feathers, but European and Middle-Eastern physicians who used charms and spells as a matter of course. I'd be glad to contribute.