Old Death Certificate Diseases

Posted bySandyPosted inMedicalTags:, , , , , , ,

Death Certificates from the 1800’s and early 1900’s use much different causes of death than is used in modern times.

Below are some common old descriptions of commons deaths.

  • Apolplexy = stroke
  • Brain Fever in children = meningoencephalitis
  • Brain Congestion in an adult = stroke
  • Brights Disease is a category of kidney diseases. This term is not used in modern times. Acute or chronic nephritis (kidney disease).
  • Consumption = Tuberculosis
  • Dropsy = hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body
  • Flux = probably Dysentery from unsanitary water source
  • General Paralysis of the insane = syphilis
  • La Grippe = Influenza aka the Flu
  • Liver disease = Hepatitis​
  • Paralysis = stroke
  • Paralysis Agitans = Parkinson’s Disease
  • Phthisis = Tuberculosis
  • Summer complaint = Cholera almost always an infant or young child. Common with spoilt milk.

Published by Sandy

Sandy Patak, owner of Ancestry Roads, is a webcaster and professional genealogist. Based in Southern Appalachia, Sandy brings the culture of all Appalachia to viewers with her webcasts. They tell the stories of Appalachia and Appalachians with the goal of changing the narrative. She is regularly asked to consult and speak on Appalachian-centric topics, genealogy, and history. You can usually find her traveling the backroads of her ancestors with her husband, their yorkies, a bag of Crab Chips and a Cheerwine. .... or at a Hockey game. https://www.ancestryroads.com

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