Dropsy

in medical science, an accumulation of the serum or colorless portion of the blood under the skin, generally in various local parts of the body. Local dropsy is known as dropsy of the chest, of the brain, of the eyelids, etc. It is thought to be due to insufficient heart action in the collection of the blood, or to obstructions in the veins which retard the return of the blood to the heart. The accumulation of watery liquid is frequently so great that a physician is able to give temporary relief by tapping the affected locality and drawing the water off. It is a disease that has as yet shown little inclination to yield to medical treatment. See Medicine; Disease