Daniel Gerald MCSWEENEY in Toowoomba

[PianoMan]

First of all, thanks to all those who helped out with my former request to find info on this ancestor's death. I now have a copy of his death certificate, which was the best-case scenario. MANY THANKS!

I found out some details from his death certificate that I want more info about. The first is that before his death (3 June 1930), he was a patient at the Hospital for the Insane in Toowoomba. It occured to me that his medical records might be obtainable. On a different forum, I learned that these records are currently housed at the Baillie Henderson Hospital. My question is: what are my options? If I got someone to go there for me, is it a simple matter of them asking for these old records over the counter, so to speak? Failing that, what else can I hope to do from over here in distant, isolated Perth?

Another detail was that he was buried in the Drayton Cemetery in Toowoomba. On the website http://ww2.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_gravefinder&view=burials&Itemid=2, his burial record says: "Headstone: Unknown". Does this mean that he never had a headstone? I heard a rumour that mental patients were sometimes buried in unmarked graves. How come?

Finally, one of the causes of death was "hypostatie" (the others were senility and exhaustion), but haven't been able to find out what that is. Any ideas?

Hoping that someone more experienced than I can answer these questions...

Cheers,
PianoMan

[tropicalj]

Another detail was that he was buried in the Drayton Cemetery in Toowoomba. On the website http://ww2.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/index.php?option=com_gravefinder&view=burials&Itemid=2, his burial record says: "Headstone: Unknown". Does this mean that he never had a headstone? I heard a rumour that mental patients were sometimes buried in unmarked graves. How come?

I  feel  it  just  means exactly  that  the site doesn't know whether there is a headstone in place.

I have know idea if "mental " patients were buried together.  I  think  that would depend on whether or not  they had family  who could pay  for a funeral or they theyselves lacked the funds for a funeral. 


as to  "hypostatie"  seems it might be a translation error,  I  would query   the BDM's  about.

Jenn

[krisesjoint]

Hypostatic Pneumonia (Hypostastis) is often seen in the elderly. Blood sets in organs particularly the lungs of persons who are weak and left lying on their backs for long periods of time.

When I see senility and exhaustion listed as well, this does seem likely.

Cheers Kris 

[hmjesse]

Thanks for the email. I too wondered what Hypostatie was. He was very young to become senile.

I get up to Toowoomba every couple of months. I'll let you know when I'm next heading up there.