Ten “Diseases” on Death Certificates That No Longer Exist — And What They Truly Were

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)

Mason and Dixon

On Friday, January 22, 1779, noted English astronomer & surveyor Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779), who is best-known nowadays for his work with fellow astronomer Charles Mason (1728-1786) in determining what was later called the Mason-Dixon line, met his earthly demise at the age of 45 when he died from the effects of unspecified natural causes at the village of Cockfield in County Durham, England.

In 1763, Dixon & Mason signed an agreement in with the proprietors of the English colonies of Pennsylvania & Maryland, Thomas Penn & Frederick Calvert, sixth Baron Baltimore, to assist in resolving a boundary dispute between the two provinces. They arrived in Philadelphia in November 1763, & began work towards the end of the year. Their survey was not complete until late 1766, following which they stayed on to measure a degree of Earth’s meridian on the Delmarva Peninsula in Maryland, on behalf of the Royal Society. Before returning to England in 1768, they were both admitted to the American Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge, in Philadelphia.

It is probable that Dixon’s name was the origin for the nickname “Dixie” used in reference to the U.S. Southern States, although there is some degree of disagreement amongst historians as to other possible origin theories of the term Dixie.