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Complications of Diseases?

Complications of Diseases?

Posted: 5 Mar 2015 11:55PM GMT
Classification: Query
My great grandmother's 1918 obit said she died from "complications of diseases". While researching that phrase I found it was often used back then as a cause of death. I wonder if it was a euphemism for something, maybe influenza? or something else they didn't want to say?

Re: Complications of Diseases?

Posted: 5 Mar 2015 11:58PM GMT
Classification: Query
Specifics are often not mentioned in obituaries. Many times there's no reference at all to the cause of death. Your ancestor's death certificate will probably shed some light on the cause of her death.

Re: Complications of Diseases?

Posted: 6 Mar 2015 12:02AM GMT
Classification: Query
I should have said that I also have the Death Certificate and it gives the cause of death as "Complications". She died in the county Infirmary and I even contacted them. They still had the sign in log which described her as "sickly". I would love to know what she actually died of.

Re: Complications of Diseases?

Posted: 6 Mar 2015 12:08AM GMT
Classification: Query
That's a hard one then. Sounds like TB or influenza. How old was she? Could it have been complications resulting from child birth? Perhaps you could take some clues from where she worked. Sorry not to be of more help.

Re: Complications of Diseases?

Posted: 3 Apr 2015 7:21PM GMT
Classification: Query
Keep in mind that in 1918, they didn't know as much as they do now so many causes of death were not well understood. So vague phrases were common and it just means they didn't really know.
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