I've been told my grandmother died of milk-leg. Can you tell me what this is?
Milk-leg is a term for what we know in modern day language as phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, or thromboembolism. This is also known more simply as blood clots.
Back in the 1700s, it was thought that this condition occurred as a result of milk retained in the blood vessels. There may be a connection between drinking raw milk and phlebitis.
In some rare cases, brucellosis found in raw milk has been associated with blood clots. Brucellosis is an infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans. It is caused by the Brucella bacteria.
Obstructing clots in the veins often travel to the lungs, causing death. Today, thromboembolism in pregnant women is treated successfully with low-dose heparin. Heparin is an anti-coagulant (clot buster). It does not cross the placenta to the fetus.
Although death can still occur from this problem, it is rare today in developed countries or with proper medical care.
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