Dear Heather and Fellow NYWARREN Listers---- According to the following site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/5421/oldterms.html Dropsy is an old term for Edema (swelling), often caused by kidney or heart disease. There's a lot of old lists on the following page, too. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/5421/index2.html Have fun! Sharon Barber