When and blood-vessels give way and allow fluid to be exuded from them into the tissues or cavities of the body the condition is called “dropsy.” Dropsy may be an independent condition, or it may arise from a number of causes, most frequently general weakness, depraved state of the blood, heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Dropsy may be local, affecting any limb or part of the body, or it may be general. A moderate amount of dropsy is not a matter of great importance. Many weakly people without being actually diseased suffer from constant swelling of the ankles. But if the same symptoms occurs when known disease is present, it is a sign that the disease is advancing or that the system is giving way under it.
The Treatment of dropsy will depend on the nature and cause of it. See under ANAEMIA, DEBILITY, HEART, KIDNEYS, LIVER. Dropsical limbs should be supported with light bandages, and when oozing takes place linen rags smeared with vaseline should be wrapped round and changed frequently. When it is an independent disease, it must be treated according to the symptoms of the patient.
Medicines.-(Two or three times a day.)
Apis.
-Will be found the most generally useful medicine.
Arsen.
-If there is thirst, anxiety, great weakness.
Natrum mur.
-In chilly subject, with thirst, low pulse. constipation, depression.