Archaic Medical Terms

[HeatherH]

Hello all,
I was looking to see what my 3 Great Gran passed away from (Phthisis) and came across this site. I thought it might be helpful for others who are wondering what the heck killed my great uncle Phill?

http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/Index.htm

A rather interesting piece of work.
Happy Hunting,
HeatherH

[Chris Paton]

Hi Heather, that's a great site. Phthisis pulmonalis (tuberculosis) wiped out whole generations of my family - you might also come across it listed as 'consumption' or 'decline'. It was a nasty disease, such a pity it seems to be on its way back again due to children not being innoculated over concerns about the injections.

[emanday]

It was a nasty disease, such a pity it seems to be on its way back again due to children not being inncoulated over concerns about the injections.

My daughter, born 1974, didn't get one at 13/14 as I had because, according to the letter I got, "this is no longer regarded as a risk in the modern day". Phoooey! And I said so, paying to have it done by our GP. He actually agreed with my feelings, so I only got charged for the immunity test and the injection, not for his "private fee" which would normally have been made. He did the same for my son when he was old enough.

This disease took the life of my father's mother when he was only 3 years old, as well as a few of my other ancestors.

Time they started doing it again! Especially with the ease of world travel now.

done

[SarahND]

Hi Mary,
In the U.S. there was a short window of time when the tests were not routinely done, but then they became mandatory again for school entrance. My oldest child (born 1970) had it only when we went to India when he was 7, but by the time the others came it was required. Do they still not require it in the U.K.?
Regards,
Sarah

[emanday]

As far as I know, it still isn't done routinely in the UK.

I hope I'm wrong but, if I'm not, then the authorities are being very shortsighted.

[Muriel]

Well now I've discovered what the rellie who died of "exhaustion following erysipelas" (which I always thought was nettlerash) probably really died of - typhus or typhoid fever! He was also the one I thought for a few glorious seconds was a lion tamer until I realised that it actually said wood turner

Muriel

[emanday]

He was also the one I thought for a few glorious seconds was a lion tamer until I realised that it actually said wood turner

Now, that's what I call a stretch

[wini]

I stand to be corrected but to the best of my knowledge it is not done routinely in Australia.
I had 2 children done in Scotland and the third In Australia but only because I asked for it.
My Mother died when I was 9 from Tuberculosis and even although antibiotics are more readily available nowadays, why get some thing that can be avoided

wini

[Bertha]

Hi All
I take it the injection we are talking about is the BSG. I was given it at school in 1967 and as far as I'm aware, it is still given to 13 yr olds in Scotland. My children were offered it in the 1990's when they reached 13 but they had already been immunised in Zimbabwe, my eldest at 7mths, my middle one at 1hr old and my youngest at 12 hrs old. They were given the skin test at 13 though just to make sure the injections were working and only Drew my eldest had to have it again though our own doctor said he shouldn't have been done.
Scotland does run its own NHS seperate from the rest of the UK.
Bertha

[Susan]

Scotland has now stopped giving it too - my daughter aged 14 was expecting to get it last year at school - but we were informed that they were the first year not to be given it routinely.
When I was tested at school - my reaction to the test indicated either natural immunity or TB. Myself and two others were then given chest x-rays to rule out the latter.
I only hope my daughter has the same natural immunity that I have.
Susan.