Why Was Tuberculosis Called Consumption?

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Originally, of course, nobody knew what caused the various forms of tuberculosis, and they certainly didn’t understand it was caused by what would eventually be called tubercle bacillus (usually the offending microbes are specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

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[TodayIFoundOut]

Looking for more fun medical facts? Then check out this video and find out the answer to the question- Will Hospitals Give Back an Amputated Limb if You Ask For It?:

[cuearesty]

I had tuberculosis. It was a hell of an ordeal. I've been complaining of sharp pain when I breathe, as if there was a pocket of air/air bubbles trapped within my ribs... for years. No one could diagnose it, and I was repeatedly given muscle relaxants or pain killers to manage with my condition. When it was diagnosed, it was found that I had water in my lungs, and walking and lying down felt like drowning. Treatment was also the worst, when you have to look out for drug resistance, and you have to take it 6 months, at the least. And it was rightfully called consumption: I did not gain much weight even when I consumed food enough to feed a family. Nowadays, a tablespoon of something visibly goes somewhere and stays there forever. I feel better though, now that I can yawn, sneeze, cough, take a breath, and finally run without pain or shortness of breath.

[hoosiergrandma]

My grandmother had TB. She was put in a sanatorium for some time to get over it. Then when I was in the 1st grade, I came down with it. This would have been around 10-12 years after grandma had it. By that time there was medicine available so I didn't have to endure the same treatment she did. My family noticed on Thanksgiving day that I, a porker, had become skinny, had a fever and wouldn't eat a bite, just wanted to sleep. How long I'd had it was anybody's guess. I was taken to the family doctor the next day who sent me to the hospital for testing. The only thing I remember about having TB was that Mom lost her billfold on the sidewalk after cashing her check. She was so upset about me that she didn't notice until much later. (It was returned to her by an honest person.) I also remember not being allowed to go outside for recess but I did go back to school. I had to have x-rays each year until I turned 18 or 20, can't remember. I was also told to never take a TB test at school because it would always show positive and the school nurse might panic. One year I took the test just to see what happened. No panic, no questions, which was deeply disappointing so I never did it again. -_-

[MK-expb]

Heroin can still be prescribed and isn't that bad when in pure and controlled forms. The overdose problem occurs because dealers are constantly shut down and change their formulas and some of the fillers are harmful.

[ConnieIsMijnNaam]

In the Dutch language the old word for Tuberculosis is “tering” which means “consumption”. Due to the Dutch habit to use names of deseases as curse words, younger people use the word “tering” (pronounced: tear-ring) as a curse word without knowing the original meaning,

[MercyS]

Holy shit, I've asked this question many times before, finally an answer!

[karthiksivasiva]

Actually I came across this word in an essay while preparing for my GRE. I was wondering "why the hell?" Now I know! Thank you for the information. 😊

[fen]

Another funny (it's not funny though) thing about opioids is that through the history of refining it into new drugs EVERY time they made a new one it was to be the non-addictive miracle cure.

[my_name_taken]

Here from the Doc Holliday video. Nice to know why it was called consumption.

[TheCptCoy]

I've always heard about consumption, but I never realised that it was actually tuberculosis

[jackshepherd]

TB or NOT TB... that is congestion. Consumption be done about it? Surgically!

[wolvenar]

This presentation made me want to know more about tuberculosis history.

[bxtiigi]

My 2 year old is almost done with her isoniazid medication for tb bacteria in her lungs.

[micheleoftheoaks]

Ah, the good old days when you could buy heroin over the counter.

[makouras]

'phthisis' is pronounced like 'f (as in 'fire') + thesis (how you'd normally say this word)'
I couldn't make out what Simon said until I saw it written :P

[thomasgary]

The most interesting thing about this video, is that it illustrates the fact that nearly everybody who is bald headed actually don't have any hair at all.

[Dogman]

*cough* *wheeze*
"here come back if you want more" -- Bayer

[mkzfuntube]

If you are reading my comment you will notice that I am not writing any thing important so read something useful 🤓

[TMWriting]

Because it... consumed people? Not gonna lie, this was a weak video guys.