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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Peter L. Mitchell on Tuesday 21 July 20 22:07 BST (UK)
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Screenshot attached of my great-great-great grandfather's cause of death. I can read "Failure of" and "Paralysis 12 hours" but can't work out the other two words - "vital power" perhaps (which would seem to me to be an odd diagnosis)? All help gratefully received!
Thanks,
Peter
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Failure of Vital Power.
Not one I have seen before. What’s the date, and how old was he?
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I agree with avm. If you think about it the heart beating is vital to life. If the heart doesn't beat then you are dead.
It may be an old term for heart failure or heart attack.
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...paralysis...
...12 hours...
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I googled "vital power" and, although it seems to be a fairly unusual expression, it does exist, often in the expression "preagonal vital power" which I think my medic husband would now refer to as "gradual shutdown of vital organs".
Hope this helps.
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Could it mean a stroke, a massive one, that caused total loss of speech and motor functions hence the paralysis for 12 hours?
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Strokes are pretty unpleasant things and must be frightening to go through.
If it is bad enough I imagine it would cause paralysis of the limbs and an inability to communicate. Terrible really if your mind is fine but your body isn't and you want to communicate but can't.
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Could it mean a stroke, a massive one, that caused total loss of speech and motor functions hence the paralysis for 12 hours?
I agree. It sounds like a massive one :-\
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I tossed "Failure Of Vital Power" into an old newspaper search, and was surprised at the number of hits came up in the early to later 1800's. After reading many of the articles, I came away with the impression that it was used when the heart stopped, but the heart was not the (primary) problem.
Here's just a few snippets to help explain, including one example of the many many ads that ran for years, to buy some concoction to prevent/cure the Failure of Vital Power:
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Failure of vital power is when you and/or your body becomes weak, gives up or unable to fight any illness, disease, cancer, etc.
Failure of vital power is mentioned in the British Medical Journal of 1868.
Failure of vital power is essential to the occurrence of morbid action. ... It permits the active cause to take effect.
Some people may have more vital power to overcome an illness, fatal in others or to stay alive longer.
It can be frightening when you suddenly become seriously unwell, perhaps life is in the balance, but your vital power is strong and kept you alive so far, you may hear bystanders and paramedics say phrases like stay with me and keep wanting responses from you, before you are stabilised.
Someone who is about to commit suicide has lost their 'vital power' mentally to stay alive if about to jump off, or on a railway. Do anything you can safely ... to tell them to come away, that life will improve and that they can find happiness again or a situation can be overcome with help.
Mark
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Sorry I haven't replied until now.
Death was 1873. Male aged 75 years. Died at Brandon Colliery, Durham.
Thanks to Bushinn1746 for your explanation.
Family history had him working in the mines from the age of 5 years, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if he just dropped while in the mine. Cause of death was certified.
This is a great site. Thanks for your help, everyone!
Peter