Can anyone tell me if the cause of death, "senile decay" in the mid 1800s meant senility/senile dementia, or simply that te person was old and died? Morag

Morag I think the common sense answer must be that any or all of the aspects of old age (mental and/or physical) might have been intended. Perhaps an average 19th century doctor wouldn't see a need (or have the skills?) to be any more precise. However - and I am prepared to be corrected by others more knowledgable on medical matters than I am - I wouldn't have thought that mental senility alone was a likely cause of death. People with dementia can live a long time. More likely, I suggest, the primary cause of death was thought to be the physical ageing process - which doesn't mean that there wasn't dementia as well. And, by the way, thanks to Linda for that very useful link to Paul Smith's website. Martyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "morag.fowler" <morag.fowler@whsurf.net> To: <SCT-ARGYLL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 9:47 AM Subject: [ARGYLL] senile decay > Can anyone tell me if the cause of death, "senile decay" in the mid 1800s meant senility/senile dementia, or simply that te person was old and died? > Morag

Hi Morag, Was only able to find the term in one online Dictionary http://www.paul_smith.doctors.org.uk/ArchaicMedicalTerms.htm Perhaps you need to read for yourself. May have been that the Doctor himself was unsure. Hope this helps. Linda. ----- Original Message ----- From: "morag.fowler" <morag.fowler@whsurf.net> To: <SCT-ARGYLL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 6:47 PM Subject: [ARGYLL] senile decay > Can anyone tell me if the cause of death, "senile decay" in the mid 1800s meant senility/senile dementia, or simply that te person was old and died? > Morag