What does it mean to die of consumption Meaning and Definition
What does it mean to die of consumption
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑ̈nkʊʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A obsolete expression referring to a person who died from tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.
Examples
- The charity is still raising awareness about what it means to die of consumption, especially in underdeveloped countries where access to healthcare is limited.
- The author’s great-grandmother died of consumption during the late 19th century.
Synonyms
- Tuberculosis
- TB
Antonyms
- Recovery
- Cure
Etymology
The term “consumption” is derived from the Latin “consumere” meaning “to eat up,” referring to the idea that the disease eats away at the lungs and other organs.
Usage Notes
The term “dying of consumption” is mostly used in historical or literary contexts and is not a commonly used phrase in modern medicine or conversation.
Cultural References
- In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the character Roderick Usher dies of consumption.
- In the novel “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, some characters die of consumption during the Napoleonic Wars.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Wasting away”
- “Eating away at”
Related Words or Phrases
- Disease
- Illness
- Infectious disease
Collocations
- tuberculosis patient
- consumption treatment
Frequency of Use
This term was more commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries but has largely been replaced by more technical and accurate descriptions of the disease.
Common Misspellings
- comsumption
- consumtion
- consumptin
Additional Information
Tuberculosis is a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. People with TB can be contagious for up to two years if left untreated. The disease was once one of the leading causes of death in the Western world, but thanks to improvements in medicine, the number of cases and deaths from TB have decreased significantly. However, it still remains a major public health concern in many parts of the world, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare. The term “dying of consumption” was often used to describe the progression of the disease and the decline of a person’s health. It was believed that the disease consumed the body, eating away at the tissues and organs until they were compromised. In many cases, patients died from secondary infections, such as pneumonia, which were often difficult to treat with the available medical resources at the time. The treatment for TB has evolved significantly over the years, and today it can be treated effectively with antibiotics. A combination of antibiotics,known as a TB regimen, is usually given for at least 6 months to a year. Following treatment, people who have been cured of TB are usually considered no longer contagious. Modern-day medical professionals and experts use more specific and accurate terms to describe tuberculosis, such as “TB” or “tuberculosis patient.” It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for information and treatment regarding TB.