Genealogy Chat

Dear All , I have the death certificate of the sister of my g grandfather who died at the age of 22 in 1883 from Shock and Syncope following a surgical procedure which I have trouble reading , although I can make out the surgeons name . Can anyone point me to a site or research aid which may help . I have tried the links on cyndi's list but can only get MEDICAL terms not SURGICAL ones . Thanks Hilary ps . I know what Shock and Syncope are it's the surgical term I'm stuck on !

I typed in Syncope in the msn search engine and it comes up with quite a few sites, some just give an explanation - Syncope A loss of consciousness due to transient impairment of cerebral blood flow but other sites talk about it with regard to neurosurgery try - http://www(.)mcevoy(.)demon(.)co(.)uk/Medicine/Neurology/Syncope.html

Yes, syncope is a posh word for a faint. I don't think they did a great deal of neurosurgery in 1883.

I've just had a death cert thru for 1889 the poor man died of blood poisoning due to removal of his tongue because of Epithelioma ,some sort of tumour/cancer which I looked up sounds an awful way to die and he was only 55.

Hilary Put this site in your favourites. I think its a brilliant site http://www(.)paul_smith(.)doctors(.)org(.)uk/ArchaicMedicalTerms.htm remove brackets Margaret

My gtgrandmother had Syncope following Diarrohea for 3 days. I find it really fascinating getting death certificates and these fancy names they give for something so simple.

Hi all, I work for a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon (Heart Surgeon to you and I) and they still use the phrase syncope. i.e. someone had a syncopal attack and I will check with him tomorrow but I think it's some form of stroke?!? Pam

All , I know what Shock and Syncope are , in Victorian terms it basically meant she dropped dead probably from blood loss, but the certificate says " after " and the I think it is a surgical procedure that I have trouble deciphering ( it may even be latin ) and a surgeons name . Thanks Hilary

Hilary Can you spell out what you see on the cert. and we may be able to decipher it Ann

Ann , good luck ! I will try 1st word Leline or Lelive 2nd word ry , or reg something like that 3rd word Cutfina or Cutfiva I think there may even be an " e" between t and f e.g Cutefiva Surgeon B L Stivens FRCS I can make out Hilary

Hilary, I have e-mailed you. Maz. XX

Hi all, checked with a Registrar today and Geoff is absoultely right. It is when someone just keels over or passes out. Apparently very common in people with aortic valve disease which is why it's mentioned a lot where i work. Pam

Hi Hilary I have e-mailed you Maz for anyone interested the cause of death reads as follows:- Shock and syncope after delivery Certified by xxxx (name of physician)