Wish I could be there, but I live in Seattle. My great great grandfather died at the age of 74 in Adams Co, IL, in 1884. I'm on this list because his wife was born in Cuyahoga Co. His death certificate stated cause of death as "bronchitis following three weeks of intestinal problems." My third cousin, who has no medical training, reads medical journals as a hobby. When I told her this, she went digging. We were both excited when she learned that there was a high probability that he died of Inflamatory Bowel Disease. This was even more likely because one of his obits said he had been a hypochondriac. That would fit with a man who had intermintent flareups of the disease. Even in his mid-twenties, as a Methodist minister who had the year before had a circuit of 400 miles per month out of Duluth, he was listed as a "super-annuated or worn out preacher." A letter he wrote in his forties complained of his poor health. All this makes the "diagnosis" more likely. Furthermore, both I and a first cousin have ABD. This disease is known to have a genetic component. So this is one example of "cause of death." I have no idea at all of the medical treatment he got, but at least he lived to 74! Doris Waggoner -- [email protected] wrote: Have you ever wondered what that "cause of death" meant and what kind of medical treatment was available at the turn of the last century? Come join us for a unique look at the lives of our ancestors as they faced some common and not-so-common health issues of their day. Lorain Co. Chapter of OGS welcomes Pat Gerstner who will present "Illness and Medical Care in the late 19th and Early 20th Century" on Monday, May 14, 2007 at the North Ridgeville Public Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville. Pat is the retired Chief Curator of the Dittrick Medical History Center at Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Gerstner's career included research in medical history that touched on alternative health practices and the development of medicine in Cleveland. Since her retirement in 1998, Pat has continued her research in Cleveland medicine, particularly in early 20th century public health issues. Social time is 6:30 pm; program and general meeting at 7:00 pm. For further information, contact Jean at [email protected] . Hope to see you there! The public is always welcome to attend. Jean Copeland, VP LCC-OGS ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message