Imbecile (spine)

[willyam]

Possibly Spinal Tuberculosis? - which was associated with neuroligic deficit.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/archneurpsyc/article-abstract/652819

Willyam

[barryd]

The Victorians were cruel or verging on cruel !

[Turtle Dove]

The death certificate has arrived and the cause of death is given as 'general paralysis 6 months' and 'exhaustion 2 weeks'. He died in the lunatic asylum. I am not any wiser really about his condition. His occupation was 'formerly a boatman'.

[Spidermonkey]

I wonder whether your ancestor might have had a form of polio - I believe that some forms of polio can affect both the mental capacity of a patient as well as the ability to move.

[Galium]

I think "general paralysis" usually refers to "general paralysis of the insane", or syphilis, which can also affect the spine.

[stanmapstone]

I think "general paralysis" usually refers to "general paralysis of the insane", or syphilis, which can also affect the spine.

The onset of GPI is usually gradual with depression as the dominant symptom. As the condition progresses there is increased leg weakness leading to spastic paralysis. Patients become completely incapacitated, bedridden, and die, the process taking about three to five years on average. http://frontierpsychiatrist.co.uk/general-paralysis-of-the-insane-and-psychiatrys-only-nobel-prize/

Stan

[Turtle Dove]

That seems to be the answer. Could the syphilis have attacked his spine too? Do you think his family would have known the cause of his illness? His wife married twice more. Her second husband died when he was 37 and her third marriage didn't last long, as within 7 years, her husband had married someone else. She probably died before she was 54 (as her 3rd husband could marry again) so I wonder if she could have been a carrier for the disease?

[stanmapstone]

That seems to be the answer. Could the syphilis have attacked his spine too?

See Syphilis of the Spine  https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/4.2.104

Stan

[Turtle Dove]

Thank you. I understand it better now. What a sad situation.