in old books people die of consumption - what is it?

Answer 1

The modern name for this affliction is Tuberculosis of the lungs. It thrived in deprived conditions, and decimated the poor communities in the 19th century.

It's an infectious disese and spreads rapidly. If left untreated, the lesions that infect the lungs become enlarged, resulting in the destruction of lung tissue. The infection then can also spread to other areas of the body and affect almost any organ. It can also cause pneumonia

Strong antibioitics are needed clear this infection, which the victorians didn't have. It was called consumption because you wasted away.

Answer 2

Die Of Consumption

Answer 3

Consumption is Tuberculosis. People can still die of consumption, and it's pretty easy to spread, but a simple skin test can determine rather or not one has been exposed. If the skin test result is positive, the indivual typically gets a chest x-ray. Depending upon the results of the x-ray, the person may be put on medications used to treat Tuberculosis . . . that's why so few people die of consumption, now -- it's much easier to detect and treat.

Answer 4

Consumption: An old and once common term for wasting away of the body. Particularly from Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Answer 5

Consumption is tuberculosis. It was called that because the disease tends to be slowly progressive and wasting. Nicole Kidman had this in Moulin Rouge! Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculae.

Answer 6

Generally consumption refers to TB, tuberculosis

Answer 7

"Consumption (TB seemed to consume people from within with its symptoms of bloody cough, fever, pallor, and long relentless wasting)"

"Its really amazing that I'm still alive at this point. I'm sick as hell (so is Annie. Poor Annie). I keep coughing and I can't stop. According to Father Donald I'm going to die of Consumption because all holy people die of Consumption. I wasn't aware that I counted as a holy person, but you know what, I'll take it."

Answer 8

Tuberculosis

Answer 9

Tuberculosis

Answer 10

Consumption was blocked airways - in the days when there were no smokeless fuels. They were also living in damp poor conditions. Suppose the nearest thing now is pneumonia.