Hematology all time.

The first theory was ‘ humoral theory’ for lower limb swelling following childbirth predominated prior to 1800. It was thought that during pregnancy, lochia accumulated in the lower limbs leading to swelling, post partum, this retained fluid was thought to be milk. But this theory was soon disputed by doctors towards the end of eighteenth century. Later it was thought that swollen leg following childbirth was result of clots in the blood vessels of legs. Dr.William Hewson , surgeon and physiologist abandoned the theory of humours for lower limb swelling. He suggested ‘ coagulable lymph ’, which caused blood in veins and caused lower limb oedema. Charles White , an eminent obstetrician, in the city of Manchester, described his theory on leg swelling in pregnant women. He thought that this swelling is due to rupture of the lymphatics from pressure of fetus head. He was the first to use the term, ‘phlegmatia alba dolens puerperarium’. Initially, they thought it could occur only in pr