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What is this cause of death?

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  • What is this cause of death?

    I have just received a death certificate for the widow of an ag lab dating from 1867. The lady was 67 and her cause of death was "sloughing of the nales (sic) certified". I don't understand; if she was losing her nails then that would be a symptom, say of poisoning, not a cause.

    Does anyone have any ideas?

    Peter

  • #2
    I can't think what it means, but by 1867 I would have thought a registrar and indeed a doctor could spell nails, so I am guessing "nales" is a misreading for something else. Did it say how long she had the condition?
    ~ with love from Little Nell~
    Chowns, Dunt, Emms, Mealing, Purvey & Smoothy

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    • #3
      Nell,

      Thank you for your interest. There is no indication of time at all. The only alternative I could think of was "nares" but it seems to be an "l"; even if the nose were dropping off it would be a symptom and not fatal in itself.

      Peter

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      • #4
        I was hoping someone clever would be able to suggest something likely. sorry I can't help but if you do find out more do let us know.
        ~ with love from Little Nell~
        Chowns, Dunt, Emms, Mealing, Purvey & Smoothy

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        • #5
          In 1867, a lot of death causes were a wild guess, by the doctor, or by the family (uncertificated). I wouldn't get too hung up on a cause of death from that era as medicine and certainly diagnosis, was rudimentary in the main.

          (Incidentally, I read somewhere that a survey of death certs in 2005, produced ONE THIRD which had errors/incomprehensible causes of death/inaccurate causes of death, etc. There are certain things you are not allowed to die of, in this country!)

          OC

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          • #6
            Peter, Could you scan the certificate and post up an image of the relevant bit?

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            • #7
              LOL! Sorry to larf, but it is a disease of DOGS!

              I think what it means on the death cert is "I don't have a clue what this woman died of, but her nails were sloughing off, just in case that ever becomes an important issue"

              OC

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              • #8
                Working in the nursing home, we tend to clean up 'slough' when cleaning wounds which are refusing to heal properly.
                Its the horrible 'gunge' around a bad wound/sore etc.....could it have been gangrene of the fingers?????????????? *shrugs*!!

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