* Is this an unusual cause of death?

[Aulus]

Hello everyone,

I've just received the death certificate for my great-great-grandmother, who died aged 60 in Blackpool in 1894.

The cause of death is given as 'Acute Alcoholism; Bronchitis 7 days'.  

Acute Alcoholism seems a strange cause of death for the 1890s - strange that is in terms of being recorded as the cause of death  (I'm sure there were lots of deaths attributable to cheap gin etc).  It's certified by a general practitioner, without any mention of autopsy.

In terms of what the doctor could actually observe in the dying person, alcoholism seems odd, and putting the primary cause of death as 'acute alcoholism' sounds as much a value judgement.

Any thoughts on whether I'm right to read so much into this, or was alcholism a recognised cause of death in the 1890s?

It's likely she was a drunken old sot [smile], as her parents and grandparents were publicans, she'd been brought up in a pub, and she'd seen off two husbands - the first died in the workhouse; the second's death I've not yet found.

Now I've found her cause of death, it brings a whole new light to her expression in this, the only photograph we have of her.





ID:2291

[zrlb]

Just came across your post, the photo and drinking smiley made me laugh out loud! After a very frustrating day trying to sort out a FH export problem, it has made my day!![lol]

[JonAxtell]

I don't know about how common it was to record Acute Alcoholism as a cause of death, but I have come across it in my researches too. It probably encompases liver failure and all other problems caused by excessive drinking. The 7 days I think indicates how long she was ill for before she died.

HTH

[Aulus]

porcupinetree said:
Just came across your post, the photo and drinking smiley made me laugh out loud! After a very frustrating day trying to sort out a FH export problem, it has made my day!!

Glad to be of service! [cool]

[tbsm]

From online Medical Dictionary
acute alcoholism

A temporary deterioration in mental function, accompanied by muscular incoordination and paresis(Slight or incomplete paralysis), induced by the rapid ingestion of alcoholic beverages.

Tommy Manson

[tbsm]

I forgot to add my late uncle died a month ago aged 95 told the story of his well to do aunt always taking him to the pictures(cinema)when he was young and was always drinking out a bottle that was in a plain brown wrapper in a pocket sewn into her underskirt beneath her long black frock, when he asked about it he got his ear clipped, his aunt died from a (Duodenal Ulcer 3 years Post Operative Haemmorrhage 7 days).
My father who is 93 said she always tried to hide her drinking well.

Tommy Manson