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Archiver > CHESHIRE > 2002-03 > 1014988946


From: "jane rea" <>
Subject: Re: [CHS] Cause of death
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 13:23:25 -0000
References: <001401c1c113$cd307950$8b8e87d9@jane5ziu4219un> <003101c1c117$480c78b0$cd267ad5@iain001>


Thanks Iain,

She died in 1909 and the certificate just states 'morbus cordis'. She was 39
years old when she died. She had lost two babies in 1899 & 1900 (and
probably others - I mention this as 'morbus cordis' is also given when a
person died from no explanation? As in 'giving up') My grandfather - her son
died from a big stroke - but did all the things you shouldn't do! Just
wondering as it's not a 'very old' date of death. If the doctor thought
there was no history of heart disease (for him to apply the term morbus
cordis) then could it be that it happened suddenly/chronic?

No - you've not worried me either - mine up to now - have died from other
things!

Jane
----- Original Message -----
From: "Iain Archer" <>
To: "jane rea" <>; <>
Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: [CHS] Cause of death


> Jane,
>
> As you have now found out "Morbus Cordis" = Heart Disease. However, it is
> often stated as a cause of death where no other cause can be ascertained
> because a cardiac arrest is a symptom of every death! If the person had a
> known history of heart problems then there are various symptoms/causes
(and
> names for them) but in the 1800s doctors generally just put down morbus
> cordis. Nowadays though they will go into much more detail.
>
> For example, the following are some heart problems that are likely to
cause
> death and would be named specifically on 1900s death certificates, but
which
> in the 1800s may have just been stated as 'morbus cordis' (depending on
the
> doctor):
>
> If a person is old then the most common is 'arteriosclerosis' which is
> thickening of the arterial walls, usually due to age.
> 'Atheroma' is similar and is fatty deposits building up in the arteries of
> the heart - anyone with cholesterol problems might recognise this one :-)
> 'Left ventricular failure' is self-explanatory.
> 'Auricular Fibrillation' is a rapid twitching of heart muscles.
> 'Coronary Thrombosis' is a blood clot in the heart.
> 'Valvular Disease' is also self-explanatory.
> 'Mitral Valve Regurgitation' back flow of blood into the heart (the wrong
> way).
> 'Myocarditis' is inflammation of the heart.
> 'Myocardial Infarction' is a heart attack.
>
> If 'Syncope' (which means a faint) is added to 'morbus cordis' then it
> usually means the person had a sudden heart attack which killed them.
>
> There are probably many more but these are the causes of death involving
the
> heart that I have found most on death certificates. I asked a doctor about
> these when I first started family history as I was very confused by all
> these terms. After he explained and I realised what most of my ancestors
> died of I was also very scared!!!
> I hope I haven't also worried any of you with this list of heart problems.
>
> I'm sure some of you will be able to add to this lot and I am fully
> expecting any doctors out there to start correcting some of my definitions
> :-))
>
> Iain Archer
> Chester, Cheshire
>
>
>
> > Just found out that Morbus cordis is a disease of the heart. But can
> anyone tell me more about it or where I can find symtoms etc.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Jane
>
>
>
>
>
>

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