How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians
What were the principal causes of death in the past? Could your ancestor have been affected? How was disease investigated and treated and what did our ancestors think about the illnesses and the accidents that might befall them? Simon Wills fascinating survey of the diseases that had an impact on their lives seeks to answer these questions. His graphic, detailed account offers an unusual and informative view of the threats that our ancestors lived with and died of.

He describes the common causes of death - cancer, cholera, dysentery, influenza, malaria, scurvy, smallpox, stroke, tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever, venereal disease and the afflictions of old age. Alcoholism is included, as are childbirth and childhood infections, heart disease, mental illness and dementia. Accidents feature prominently – road and rail accidents, accidents at work – and death through addiction and abuse is covered as well as death through violence and war.

Simon Wills’ work gives a vivid picture of the hazards our ancestors faced and their understanding of them. It also reveals how life and death have changed over the centuries, how medical science has advanced so that some once-mortal illnesses are now curable while others are just as deadly now as they were then.

In addition to describing causes of death and setting them in the context of the times, his book shows readers how to find and interpret patient records, death certificates and other documents in order to gain an accurate impression of how their ancestors died.
"1120578760"
How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians
What were the principal causes of death in the past? Could your ancestor have been affected? How was disease investigated and treated and what did our ancestors think about the illnesses and the accidents that might befall them? Simon Wills fascinating survey of the diseases that had an impact on their lives seeks to answer these questions. His graphic, detailed account offers an unusual and informative view of the threats that our ancestors lived with and died of.

He describes the common causes of death - cancer, cholera, dysentery, influenza, malaria, scurvy, smallpox, stroke, tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever, venereal disease and the afflictions of old age. Alcoholism is included, as are childbirth and childhood infections, heart disease, mental illness and dementia. Accidents feature prominently – road and rail accidents, accidents at work – and death through addiction and abuse is covered as well as death through violence and war.

Simon Wills’ work gives a vivid picture of the hazards our ancestors faced and their understanding of them. It also reveals how life and death have changed over the centuries, how medical science has advanced so that some once-mortal illnesses are now curable while others are just as deadly now as they were then.

In addition to describing causes of death and setting them in the context of the times, his book shows readers how to find and interpret patient records, death certificates and other documents in order to gain an accurate impression of how their ancestors died.
29.95 In Stock
How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians

How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians

by Simon Wills
How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians

How Our Ancestors Died: A Guide for Family Historians

by Simon Wills

Paperback

$29.95 
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Overview

What were the principal causes of death in the past? Could your ancestor have been affected? How was disease investigated and treated and what did our ancestors think about the illnesses and the accidents that might befall them? Simon Wills fascinating survey of the diseases that had an impact on their lives seeks to answer these questions. His graphic, detailed account offers an unusual and informative view of the threats that our ancestors lived with and died of.

He describes the common causes of death - cancer, cholera, dysentery, influenza, malaria, scurvy, smallpox, stroke, tuberculosis, typhus, yellow fever, venereal disease and the afflictions of old age. Alcoholism is included, as are childbirth and childhood infections, heart disease, mental illness and dementia. Accidents feature prominently – road and rail accidents, accidents at work – and death through addiction and abuse is covered as well as death through violence and war.

Simon Wills’ work gives a vivid picture of the hazards our ancestors faced and their understanding of them. It also reveals how life and death have changed over the centuries, how medical science has advanced so that some once-mortal illnesses are now curable while others are just as deadly now as they were then.

In addition to describing causes of death and setting them in the context of the times, his book shows readers how to find and interpret patient records, death certificates and other documents in order to gain an accurate impression of how their ancestors died.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781781590386
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 01/19/2014
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Simon Wills is a history journalist and genealogist who writes regularly for magazines such as Family Tree and Discover your Ancestors. He advises and has appeared in the TV program Who Do You Think You Are? and contributes to the magazine of the same name. Simon gives history presentations and interviews at national and local events all around the UK for organizations such as The National Archives, Chalke Valley History Festival, National Trust, and the BBC. He is also a dedicated wildlife and nature photographer, and all the photographs in this book were taken by him.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

Chapter 1 Investigation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Disease 1

Chapter 2 Finding a Cause of Death 17

Chapter 3 Accidents and Disasters 30

Chapter 4 Alcohol and Alcoholism 40

Chapter 5 Cancer 47

Chapter 6 Chest Conditions 53

Chapter 7 Children, Babies, and Infection 61

Chapter 8 Cholera 70

Chapter 9 Diet and Starvation 77

Chapter 10 Dysentery and Bowel Infections 86

Chapter 11 Epilepsy and Strokes 94

Chapter 12 Execution and Murder 99

Chapter 13 Heart Conditions 109

Chapter 14 Influenza 116

Chapter 15 Mental Illness and Suicide 119

Chapter 16 Opium Addiction 131

Chapter 17 Plague 138

Chapter 18 Pregnancy and Childbirth 143

Chapter 19 Scurvy 150

Chapter 20 Smallpox 157

Chapter 21 Tropical Infections 164

Chapter 22 Tuberculosis 169

Chapter 23 Typhus 176

Chapter 24 Venereal Diseases 183

Chapter 25 War 190

Chapter 26 Wounds 196

Chapter 27 Places to Visit 203

Bibliography 209

Index 210

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