When you examine old death certificates, you often encounter diagnoses such as “consumption,” “dropsy,” “ague”, and others that sound foreign to modern ears. Historically, these terms were not always precise diseases but catch-all phrases reflecting contemporary understanding of illness, death and decay. For genealogists and historians alike, decoding these labels reveals far more than mere mis‐diagnosis — it offers insight into social conditions, medical knowledge, and lived experience in previous eras.
Below are ten such terms commonly encountered in archival
records, followed by what modern medicine identifies them as, plus the
historical story behind each label.
1. Consumption
Historical term: “Consumption” (also “phthisis”)
Modern equivalent: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)
Context & explanation:
“Consumption” was the Victorian-era label for the disease
that caused gradual wasting away, coughs with blood, night sweats and pale
faces. It derived its name from the body being seemingly “consumed” from
within. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, tuberculosis (TB) was
formerly called consumption. (Encyclopedia
Britannica)
Because TB was widespread and mysterious (the causative
organism was discovered only in 1882), the term consumption remained common in
19th-century death records. Poor living conditions, overcrowded tenements and
lack of effective treatment meant TB was one of the leading causes of death.
Genealogical tip: If you see “consumption” on a
certificate around 1850-1900, consider that the individual likely died of TB.
Look for other signs: long illness, weight loss, cough, possibly in a younger
adult.
2. Dropsy
Historical term: “Dropsy”
Modern equivalent: Edema / fluid accumulation due to
congestive heart failure, kidney disease, liver failure or malnutrition
Context & explanation:
“Dropsy” (from Greek hydrops, meaning water) was not a
disease per se, but a visible syndrome — swelling of limbs, abdomen or chest
when fluids accumulate. Estes (in The Cambridge World History of Human
Disease) describes dropsy as indicating fluid overload and underlying organ
failure. (Cambridge
University Press & Assessment)
By the early 19th century, physicians recognised that dropsy
often signalled advanced kidney or heart disease. (History
of Nephrology)
Genealogical tip: If a death certificate lists
dropsy, ask: did the person have swelling (legs, abdomen), long-term illness,
or signs of heart/liver/kidney problems? It may hint at the underlying chronic
condition.
3. Childbed Fever
Historical term: “Childbed fever” (also “puerperal
fever”)
Modern equivalent: Postpartum infection / sepsis
Context & explanation:
Women in childbirth clinics (especially hospital wards in
the mid-1800s) faced horrifying mortality rates. (Encyclopedia
Britannica) The Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis discovered that
doctors’ hands coming from autopsies were transmitting infection to laboring
women, and instituted hand-washing with chlorinated lime in 1847, which
dramatically reduced deaths. (UNESCO)
Thus “childbed fever” on a death certificate means the
mother died of a postpartum infection (often streptococcal or other bacteria).
Genealogical tip: A record reading “childbed fever”
means the woman died shortly after giving birth. It may open lines of inquiry
to maternal health, hospital vs home birth, and infant survival.
4. Brain Fever
Historical term: “Brain fever”
Modern equivalent: Possibly meningitis, encephalitis,
or acute central nervous system infection or inflammation
Context & explanation:
In the 19th century, “brain fever” was used to describe a
dramatic onset of fever and delirium (or coma) affecting the brain. It might
stem from bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, or sometimes even stress or
trauma. Since diagnostic precision was lacking, many different disorders were
grouped under “brain fever.”
Genealogical tip: If “brain fever” appears, consider
that the cause may have been an acute infection of the brain or meninges,
likely with rapid decline. Investigate age (often children or young adults),
other symptoms (fever, stiff neck) and whether outbreaks occurred.
5. Bloody Flux
Historical term: “Bloody flux”
Modern equivalent: Dysentery (infection of the
intestines with blood-stained diarrhea)
Context & explanation:
The term “flux” refers to flowing or discharge. According to
Merriam-Webster’s medical definition, “bloody flux” is diarrhea with blood in
the intestinal discharge. (Merriam-Webster)
Another source identifies dysentery, under the name “bloody flux,” as a major
killer in army camps where sanitation was poor. (ASM.org)
Genealogical tip: A death from “bloody flux” likely
occurred in conditions of hygiene breakdown: camps, ships, poor sanitation. It
suggests sudden gastrointestinal infection and dehydration, rather than chronic
disease.
6. Apoplexy
Historical term: “Apoplexy”
Modern equivalent: Stroke (cerebral hemorrhage or
infarction)
Context & explanation:
Apoplexy comes from the Greek meaning “a sudden, violent
blow.” It was used historically to label sudden loss of consciousness, often
fatal, including what we now call stroke. The term was used until the mid-20th
century.
Genealogical tip: If apoplexy is listed, the
individual likely suffered a sudden cerebrovascular event. Seek age (often
older adult), risk factors (hypertension, vascular disease), and note that
sudden death may have occurred.
7. The King’s Evil
Historical term: “The King’s evil” (scrofula)
Modern equivalent: Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes
(especially cervical lymph node TB)
Context & explanation:
Medieval and early-modern Europeans believed that the touch
of a monarch could cure scrofula (“the king’s evil”). In fact the condition was
often mycobacterial infection of the neck lymph nodes (a form of TB). Science
eventually dispelled the myth of royal cures when the underlying cause
(tuberculosis infection) was discovered.
Genealogical tip: A record of “King’s evil” suggests
TB of the lymph nodes. Though less lethal than pulmonary TB, it still signified
chronic infection and possible underlying susceptibility to TB.
8. Marasmus
Historical term: “Marasmus”
Modern equivalent: Severe malnutrition/ wasting,
often in infants or institutionalised children
Context & explanation:
Marasmus was used to describe extreme wasting of infants and
children, especially in orphanages or impoverished settings, due to lack of
calorie intake and protein, often combined with neglect. It signalled high
mortality.
Genealogical tip: If you see marasmus in an orphanage
or child’s death record, it may mean not just starvation but serious neglect or
failure of institutional care. It is a marker of both medical and social
conditions.
9. Ague
Historical term: “Ague”
Modern equivalent: Malaria (or periodic fever
syndromes)
Context & explanation:
The term “ague” dates from Middle English (from Latin
“febris acuta”), originally meaning a fever with chills. Many historians
consider that when “ague” was used in marshy, swampy regions it often meant
malaria. A CDC article indicates that the English word for malaria was “ague”
well into the 19th century. (CDC)
Genealogical tip: If an ancestor in a marshy,
southern or lowland region died of “ague,” consider the possibility of malaria
— especially where mosquitoes and stagnant water were present.
10. Quinsy
Historical term: “Quinsy” (also “quinsey”)
Modern equivalent: Peritonsillar abscess (a
complication of tonsillitis)
Context & explanation:
According to Britannica, “quinsy” is a pus-filled swelling
adjacent to a tonsil, usually a complication of acute tonsillitis. (Encyclopedia
Britannica) In the 19th century, lack of antibiotics meant such infections
could become life-threatening, especially among children or the poor.
Genealogical tip: A death recorded as “quinsy”
suggests a throat infection that developed into an abscess and likely airway
compromise or sepsis. It can highlight class or access to care – treatment
might have saved the individual.
Why This Matters
When you encounter one of these archaic terms on a death
certificate, it is tempting to dismiss it as “just old fashioned”. However,
these labels are rich with meaning. They reflect:
·
The medical understanding (or lack thereof) of
the era;
·
The social and environmental conditions of the
deceased (poverty, sanitation, institutionalized care, childbirth settings);
·
The lived reality of illness, rather than the
clean diagnostic categories of today.
For genealogists, historians, or anyone exploring family
history, recognising these terms allows you to ask better questions. Who was
vulnerable? What were their living conditions? Did the death reflect a
preventable cause by today’s standards?
Instead of throwing out a confusing diagnosis, treat it as a
clue– a doorway into the world your ancestor inhabited.
References
·
Estes, J. W. “Dropsy (VIII.39).” The
Cambridge World History of Human Disease, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
(Cambridge
University Press & Assessment)
·
“Dropsy, Nephrosis, Nephrotic Syndrome – History
of Nephrology.” historyofnephrology.org. (History
of Nephrology)
·
“Ignaz Semmelweis.” Encyclopaedia Britannica.
(Encyclopedia
Britannica)
·
“Childbed Fever: A Scientific Biography of Ignaz
Semmelweis.” K. Codell Carter & B. R. Carter. (Bloomsbury)
·
“Dysentery – The toxin‐based diseases common in
North America during the 1600-1700s.” ASM.org. (ASM.org)
·
“Ague: Old-fashioned Names for Diseases and
Ailments.” Merriam-Webster. (Merriam-Webster)
·
“Quinsy.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. (Encyclopedia
Britannica)
