Unusual causes of death

[Preraphaelite]

Ok, apologies for ths slightly macabre topic!

One of my gggg grandmothers - Charlotte Harvey (nee Wareham) - died in 1844 in Canford, Dorset.  According to her death certificate, the cause of death was "Inflamation on the chest caused by swallowing a plum stone"  

I imagine that, with less advanced medical knowledge the further one goes back in history, the "causes" of death stated on certificates would consequently become increasingly unusual. 

I would love to hear what other people have discovered from family death certificates. What is the most bizarre or shocking cause of death you have found in your research?

[angelfish58]

The one which knocked me sideways was "crushed by wagons in Thornley pit" and another rellie died of injuries recieved in a train derailment.

[kerryb]

I had a great x 3 grandfather who was run over by his cart.  Also a 3 year old who died of accidental burning. 

Kerry

[Preraphaelite]

Oh dear, angelfish and Kerry, that all sounds very grim indeed! 

[charlotteCH]

"Gored by a bull" for one of mine... 

charlotte

[FAB Fiona]

My gg grandfather died of heart attack whilst "taking a warm bath" at Blackfriars public baths in Salford!

Fiona

[msallen]

I have one who froze to death after falling over drunk in a snowdrift on his way home from a dance where he'd been playing the fiddle. He was well into his eighties at the time, so it seems he lived life to the full right to the end 

[stonechat]

my grandmother's cousin died in train crash in New York

[charlotteCH]

Learned an awful thing today about one of my lot... he died of epilepsy in an Asylum for the Insane in late 19th C.

Apparently epileptics were "treated" in asylums... if the fits were intermitent, imagine what his life must have been like in between the fits if there were mad people around him..

charlotte.