Mar 1, 2023Common causes of death in the 1800sTenzin Chodon
Consumption
Consumption, now widely known as tuberculosis, was one of the most common causes of death during the 1800s. It is a disease caused by bacteria that usually attacks the lungs.iStock
Typhoid fever
Typhoid is an infectious bacterial disease that leads to red spots on the chest and abdomen. During the 1800s, it could prove fatal in most cases.iStock
Scarlet fever
Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that leads to red rash and causes high fever and sore throat.iStock
Pertussis/whooping cough
Pertussis is a highly transmissible respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.iStock
Convulsions
Convulsions, sometimes also called 'seizures', are characterized by quick and sudden contractions of the muscles, leading to uncontrolled shaking of the body.iStock
Cephalitis
Cephalitis, which in today's world is known as encephalitis, refers to the inflammation in the brain. It can be triggered by various reasons from a viral attack to an autoimmune disease.iStock
Croup
Croup is the infection of the upper respiratory airway, which narrows down, making it difficult to breathe. It usually has a barking sound to it.iStock
Dysentery
Dysentery refers to an infection that leads to diarrhoea stained with blood and mucus. Symptoms include painful stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.iStock
Pneumonia
Pneumonia refers to the inflammation in the lungs, caused by bacterial or viral infection, wherein the air sacs fill up with pus.iStock