Daily AncestorWhite swelling
White swelling was an old name for a chronic swelling of the knee or another joint, usually from tuberculosis (scrofula) of the joint.
Webster's 1913 describes white swelling as a chronic swelling of the knee from strumous, that is scrofulous, inflammation of the joint lining and bone ends, and notes that the name was also applied to a lingering swelling of almost any kind.
Wiktionary defines it as a disease of the joints, especially the knee, with the joint lining breaking down.
As seen in a recordCause of death column, 1850 to 1880 federal mortality schedule
Mary Bost, 15, F, W, White swelling, 3 yrs.
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "White swelling." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/causes-of-death/white-swelling. Last checked 2026-10-10.