In 19th-century medical terminology, which disease was commonly referred to as consumption?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to historical general knowledge related to medicine. In older English literature and documents from the 18th and 19th centuries, many diseases were known by names that differ from today's scientific terms. The term 'consumption' is very common in old novels, letters and medical reports, and understanding what it referred to helps in interpreting those sources and in answering history and GK questions correctly.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the disease that was popularly called consumption in the 19th century.
• Options given are tuberculosis, paralysis, plague and cholera.
• We assume standard historical medical usage in English-speaking contexts.
• We are not being asked about modern scientific classification, but about old everyday terminology.

Concept / Approach:
The word 'consumption' comes from the idea that the disease slowly 'consumed' or wasted away the patient's body. In the 19th century, this term was commonly used to describe tuberculosis, especially pulmonary tuberculosis affecting the lungs. People with this disease lost weight, coughed persistently, often coughed up blood and gradually became weaker, giving the impression of being consumed from within. While other infectious diseases like plague and cholera were also widespread and deadly, they were known by their own distinct names, not as consumption.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the keyword 'consumption', an old-fashioned term used in historical writings.Step 2: Recall from literature and history that characters suffering from slow, wasting lung disease were said to have consumption.Step 3: Match this description with tuberculosis, particularly lung tuberculosis, which causes chronic cough, fever and severe weight loss.Step 4: Recognise that paralysis is a symptom, not a wasting disease traditionally called consumption.Step 5: Note that plague and cholera had their own specific names and presented differently, often with sudden, acute symptoms rather than long, wasting decline.Step 6: Therefore, select 'Tuberculosis' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at any standard dictionary or medical history source, it will explain that consumption is an old term for tuberculosis, especially of the lungs. Classic novels and biographies from the 19th century also describe sufferers of consumption in ways that clearly match tuberculosis. Competitive exam books on general science and medical GK repeat this fact, confirming that tuberculosis is the correct answer for this type of question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Paralysis: This is a condition involving loss of movement, not a chronic wasting disease traditionally named consumption.Plague: A serious infectious disease often called bubonic plague or black death, with its own distinct historical names.Cholera: An acute diarrhoeal disease; although feared in the 19th century, it was called cholera, not consumption.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse consumption with any serious old disease mentioned in novels and may guess plague or cholera simply because they know those were deadly. Others focus on the idea of something being 'consumed' and might think of cancer or unspecified wasting. To avoid such errors, make a clear one-to-one link in your memory: in 19th-century English, consumption almost always refers to tuberculosis, especially lung tuberculosis.

Final Answer:
In 19th-century usage, the disease commonly referred to as consumption was tuberculosis.