Medical names...consumption?

bonniesamuel1

In 18th century German vital records and records, deaths are often attributed to "consumption" or "emancipating disease." Often several cases in one family which would suggest that this disease was infectious.

Is this disease actually "tuberculosis?"

I'm also looking for a list of the names, descriptions of diseases common to the time period, if you could suggest one.

Many thanks, Bonnie

Robert Seal_1

Hello @bonniesamuel1,

If the word used in the death record translates as "consumption" I consider this to be tuberculosis.

If the word(s) used in the death record translate as "emaciating disease" or "wasting disease", these are likely tuberculosis but I usually use these translations "as is" rather than assuming they are tuberculosis.

Here's a link to one online source for old German illnesses and diseases: https://www.many-roads.com/2014/10/13/german-illness-death-terms-and-translations/

In my opinion one of the very best sources for definitions of German illnesses and diseases is the following reference book:

Ernest Thode, German-English Genealogical Dictionary (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., c1992).

Ulrich Neitzel

Hello @bonniesamuel1

I would say it depends... both on the original German word and on the time the record is from.

Although the disease nowadays known as "tuberculosis" is probably as old as mankind this term was coined first in 1834 by Johann Schönlein and was not in general (public) use until the end of the 19th century (https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/history.htm).

Generally, what is mentioned in older church books as "cause of death" is usually not a medical diagnosis but signs of the disease (symptoms). Examples are Auszehrung or Abzehrung which means loss of weight and loss of physical power, in English consumption, emaciation or, in a medical term, cachexia. All this can be a sign of tuberculosis, but also of other diseases like cancer or an infectious disease.

Another German term which is historically more closely related to (lung) tuberculosis is Schwindsucht, but this would also correspond to "consumption" in a literal translation.

I try to stay as closely as possible to the original meaning of the word when translating old records, as we should not try to make a diagnosis that was not possible at that time

Robert Seal_1

Hello again Bonnie,

Here's another link to an online source: https://pommerscher.org/cpage.php?pt=101

If you google the words: old german illnesses diseases you may find other sources online as well.

Best regards, Robert Seal_1