In a message dated 15/09/2007 21:35:11 GMT Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: My great-grandfather George McIntyre died at the Sunderland Borough Asylum in Ryhope in 1912; his death certificate recorded "general paralysis over one year" and family legend would have it that he fell down a lift shaft whilst working for the Sunderland Gas Company at Ayre's Quay. I thought the asylum was only for mentally ill patients _______________________________________________________________________ Hi Rob, General paralysis will invariably mean General Paralysis Of The Insane i.e. syphilis Stan