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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: jimnorah on Wednesday 19 February 20 13:45 GMT (UK)

Title: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: jimnorah on Wednesday 19 February 20 13:45 GMT (UK)
The attached section of a death register refers to a death in 1855.
It's virtually unreadable to me and the only parts I can make out are 'following the long' and '14 days'.
I'd appreciate any help if possible.
Many thanks
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 19 February 20 13:53 GMT (UK)
It's not easy is it .... I think the first word on the second line is 'exhaustion'. The word after 'long' may be 'continued' ... then possibly 'use of' ... :-\

I am seeing 'Chronic' as the first word however I am not confident in that guess - now that I think I see it I cannot see it as anything else.

Someone might be able to work out the cause of death, but I would say that it is worth requesting a better copy. :)

Added: what age was the person who died and were they male or female?
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Rhododendron on Wednesday 19 February 20 13:59 GMT (UK)
Difficult but can make out what seems to read "Exhaustion after the long continued use of..."
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Sam Swift on Wednesday 19 February 20 14:00 GMT (UK)
Chronic ?
Exhaustion of the nervous system
following the long continued use of ?
14 days
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Rhododendron on Wednesday 19 February 20 14:00 GMT (UK)
Sorry.  Meant "following the long.."  not "after the long".
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Rhododendron on Wednesday 19 February 20 14:01 GMT (UK)
Agree with Sam.  Chronic...
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: jimnorah on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:16 GMT (UK)
Thanks to all who made the attempt! I knew this was going to be difficult as it's a poor quality copy.
Ruskie - it was a male who was only 49 when he died. He was a farmer so maybe that could be a hint. I should have added that info earlier.
I've tried to enhance the print details but it's pretty difficult - I've added it anyway so here's hoping.
Thanks again for all the efforts so far!
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: shanghaipanda on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:35 GMT (UK)
Chronic ? disease
Extraction (or maybe exhaustion) after ? ?
Following the long continued
use of ?
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Annie65115 on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:38 GMT (UK)
Chronic debility and
Exhaustion of the nervous system
?
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: BumbleB on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:42 GMT (UK)
My apologies for this comment - BUT where are the origins of this register?  Have you asked for a better image? 

Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: jimnorah on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:47 GMT (UK)
I'm amazed you've done so well between you - I think you've just about got there and it's just the last word which is now the main problem.
I'm wondering if it's some sort of pesticide or herbicide he's had to use continuously in the course of his work.
BumbleB - the register was obtained from ScotlandsPeople at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow - I could see immediately that the quality was poor so I doubt if it's possible to obtain a better image.

Many thanks again to all of you - it was a difficult one!
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: BumbleB on Wednesday 19 February 20 17:49 GMT (UK)
Have you asked SP for a better image?   :-X
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: mckha489 on Wednesday 19 February 20 18:32 GMT (UK)
Chronic cerebritis and
exhaustion..


I am sure the second word ends in ..itis , I wondered about arthritis, but I veer towards cerebritis


.......

If you search for Agricultural Chemical in the newspapers all the advertising is for things like Superphosphate, Guano And fish pellets.

I am wondering if the thing he was continuously using could also be some sort of drug he was taking himself, rather than using on the farm.


.....

Some light reading if you are interested in Agriculture in 1848

https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=s5QZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA484&lpg=PA484&dq=use+of+chemicals+on+farms+1850+scotland&source=bl&ots=MQ2TJZzXiA&sig=ACfU3U14bCIc0xRzrC5rDAUABCdhU2r-sg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCwvP2p97nAhWNxzgGHVGNCsYQ6AEwEXoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=use%20of%20chemicals%20on%20farms%201850%20scotland&f=false
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Tickettyboo on Wednesday 19 February 20 20:53 GMT (UK)
Have you asked SP for a better image?   :-X

 BumbleB  I very much agree this is the way to resolve the problem. My first step would be to contact SP, say I can't read the image and can they either re-scan or give me some hint as to what it says. When I have done that they have been extremely helpful.

Boo
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Isabel H on Wednesday 19 February 20 21:50 GMT (UK)
Could it be Exhaustion of nervous energy after long continuous use of Stimuli ?
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: MonicaL on Wednesday 19 February 20 22:38 GMT (UK)
I could see immediately that the quality was poor so I doubt if it's possible to obtain a better image.


Actually, SP are very good at responding to this type of probem  ;) See www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/technical-help/reporting-issues

They are quick to respond and if needed can arrange for a rescan of the image which can help enormously with legibility of the image.

Monica
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: mckha489 on Wednesday 19 February 20 23:17 GMT (UK)
Could it be Exhaustion of nervous energy after long continuous use of Stimuli ?

I like stimuli

Not sure about energy
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 19 February 20 23:27 GMT (UK)
Could it be Exhaustion of nervous energy after long continuous use of Stimuli ?

I think stimuli is a good call, but see it as nervous System After long continued use of stimuli.
Carol

Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Isabel H on Thursday 20 February 20 09:14 GMT (UK)
I think stimuli is a good call, but see it as nervous After long continued use of stimuli.
Carol

Sorry, just a slip. "Continued" was what I meant to type.  The letters in the word after nervous don't seem to me to fit with "system" although it does appear more likely.
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 20 February 20 10:35 GMT (UK)
Agree with Mackha489 & Isabel H - Could well be cerebritis and stimuli

Looking at https://archive.org/details/mercksmanualofma00newy/page/148/mode/2up/search/NERVOUS+

A variety of "remedies" were used to treat a veariety of "nervous" and "cerebral" type conditions, many of which were classed as "stimulants"
Title: Re: Cause of death unreadable COMPLETED
Post by: jimnorah on Thursday 20 February 20 10:52 GMT (UK)
Can't believe so many of you attempted to translate this document - thanks to you all.
I will take on board all the comments and contact ScotlandsPeople and try for a better image.

Jim