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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: GillianF on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:50 BST (UK)

Title: Wording in cause of death
Post by: GillianF on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:50 BST (UK)
Can someone please decipher the two words in the third line of the cause of death.  I have "Child birth" and "Flooding" but can't work out the two words underneath.  The informant on the death certificate (in 1847) doesn't seem to be a relative so maybe the 'midwife'.

No record of the birth or death of the child so I presume 'stillborn' or similar?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: IgorStrav on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:53 BST (UK)
It does say 'flooding', though I can't make out the word before 'hours'

I assume it means haemorrhage, ie flooding of blood, which - if not stopped - would inevitably lead to death
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: Kay99 on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:56 BST (UK)
Is it - ill 4 hours ??

Kay
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: IgorStrav on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:59 BST (UK)
Quote from: Kay99 on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:56 BST (UK)
Is it - ill 4 hours ??

Kay

Yes, I think that's it!

What a very sad story.
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: GillianF on Wednesday 29 July 20 18:05 BST (UK)
Yes, I can see it now!  It is indeed a sad story - she was only 23 and left two very young children.  I had suspected she had died in childbirth but this is the first time I've had such a death.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: bbart on Wednesday 29 July 20 19:55 BST (UK)
Quote from: IgorStrav on Wednesday 29 July 20 17:53 BST (UK)

I assume it means haemorrhage, ie flooding of blood, which - if not stopped - would inevitably lead to death

I took a look through the old newspapers, and Igor is right on the mark.  The term "flooding after child birth" appeared in some coroner inquests as to whether the midwife should have sent for a Doctor earlier to stem the blood loss, (not that it appears the Drs. had much more to offer as means of a remedy).
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: california dreamin on Wednesday 29 July 20 20:12 BST (UK)
This sounds like a 'postpartum haemorrhage' (PPH) which is a complication in childbirth where you bleed heavily after the birth of the baby. Sometimes PPH happens because your womb doesn't contract strongly enough after the birth or maybe part of the placenta has been left in the womb.  Nowadays, to help prevent PPH women are offered an injection of oxytocin as the baby's being born. This stimulates contractions and helps to push the placenta out.  V. sad.

CD
Title: Re: Wording in cause of death
Post by: GillianF on Thursday 30 July 20 08:07 BST (UK)
Thanks everyone.  I'm guessing the child was either stillborn or died soon after birth and that it didn't need to be registered (birth or death) in any way at that time.