Question about latin medical term on death record

[Ontario79]

Hello,

I have a question I hope someone can answer.  (Maybe someone with knowledge of old medical terminology)

On my Great Great Grandfather's 1849 death record his cause of death is listed as "paralysis spinalis".  What does this mean exactly?  I assumed it was a fancy way of saying he broke his back...  But it sounds kind of ominous. 

Does anyone know for sure?

Thanks

[ammonite]

just sounds like a slightly latinised form of spinal paralysis, someone trying to sound cleverer than they were!  maybe some one will have a slightly more informed opinion than mine though...

[Peonie]

Just had a look at a very good site for this, but could not find it. Rudy invites emails if you want help.

http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/English/English.htm

Peonie

[Lydart]

I'm not a medico, but I think this might be a paralysis caused by some sort of damage to the spinal cord ... not necessary a broken back ... it could be caused by some sort of general infection, for e.g. ...

[muppetprincess]

Agree, Lydart. 
In 1849, all medical terms were in Latin, it wasn't someone trying to be smart, or look good. The reason they used those terms then, is the same reason we do today, that's what "it' was called! Today, they do try to make it a bit easier for people to understand what's happening to them. It's called "informed consent", and the legal eagles are quite picky about it, but way- back- then, medicos were such superior beings, the patient wasn't told anything.
Jude

[Luzzu]

The spinalis is a bundle of muscles and tendons close to the spinal cord so I suppose paralysis spinalis would be the loss of movement to those muscles and tendons.  Not sure how this would be cause of death though unless the the spinal cord was affected or there was an infection.

[Finder]

looks like a possible injury, before WW2 most spinal cord injuries were fatal due to infection & other complications

James

[muppetprincess]

Also, could have been a stroke. Did it say how long the last illness lasted?