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Original poster

Ways of Dying in 1665

840 replies

TheScarlettPimpernel · 04/02/2012 11:36

So I'm just copying out a weekly Bill of Mortality from London, 1665 (don't ask!)

Look at some of the ways of dying - anyone care to hazard a guess at what some of them might be?!

Plague - 7165 (IN A WEEK!!!)
Childbed - 42 Sad - just goes to show, it's all very well bemoaning medicalised childbirth/interventions/CSs but look at the alternative
Grief - 3 (Not bloody surprising - wonder what the actual medical cause was?)
Griping in the Guts - 51!
Rising of the Lights - 11 (WTF was that then? In offal, are the lights the lungs, right?)
Kingsevil - 2 (Don't ask me how I know this, but I believe this to be scrofula)
Wormes - 15 (OH EM GEE, you could die of worms )
Impostume - 11 (what?!)
Frighted - 3 (three people scared to death in a week Shock)
Winde - 3 (Oh yeah. FARTED TO DEATH)

I realise I am a bit morbid Hmm

OP posts:
weasle · 04/02/2012 20:10

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but there are modern chemotherapy drugs made from yew trees. Taxanes, used for breast and ovarian cancer.

SarahStratton · 04/02/2012 20:09

I think MrsPotter was slightly too rabid to be described as a fan. Grin

ScoutJemAndBoo · 04/02/2012 20:08

David's routine is nowhere near as amusing as ths thread.

ArielNonBio · 04/02/2012 20:05

Why are you Hmm at A Person Of Quality? I am a Person Of Quality Grin

ElaineBenes · 04/02/2012 20:04

And I shall read the whole thread in future Blush

But good to see other David B fans about :)

ElaineBenes · 04/02/2012 20:02

I remember being in tears of laughter at this:

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/02/2012 19:53

I've just found a reference to death by headmouldshot. Sounds vile. And also Grocer's itch Hmm

Population about 400,000 hecuba. That's a good point about syphilis.

Hecubasdaughter · 04/02/2012 19:45

Out of interest what was the population of London in 1665?

I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that congenital syphilis caused malformation of the teeth and therefore teething difficulties. Could that account for some of the teething deaths?

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/02/2012 19:41

Blimey

megapixels · 04/02/2012 19:27

I mean Hmm at A Person of Quality.

megapixels · 04/02/2012 19:26

Looks like even in those days the rich got away with their names being kept secret.

[Hmm] at A Person of Quality.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/02/2012 19:15

Tunip - I bet the master of the workhouse took advantage of many a young woman.

Mirage · 04/02/2012 19:06

This is even more bizarre.'Unmarried mothers who pulled cabbages blindfold on All Hallows Eve would be able to discern the looks of their future husband'.

'Midwives unlocked doors and loosened knots all around the house to ensure an easy birth'.

Anyone want the recipe for 'A Gammon of Badger roasted'?

fridakahlo · 04/02/2012 19:04

Sarah, I was thinking exactly the same thing but in regards to my spots. I gave up on my under eye shadows long ago.

SarahStratton · 04/02/2012 19:01

That's why I still have bags under my eyes. Who knew? :(

ArielNonBio · 04/02/2012 18:57

Mirage, that's brilliant!

Mirage · 04/02/2012 18:53

Oh dear,I fear I shall get nothing done tonight.I have stacks of books to read,but will be spending my time on this thread instead.It is definitely one for Classics.

I have fetched out my 'Country Housewife' book,which informs me that 'a Sussex cure for Ague,to be written on a triangular piece of paper and wornb around the neck until the paper dropped off;Ague,ague I thee defy,
Three days shiver
Three days shake
Make me well for Jesus' sake.

Also,never apply ointment with the forefinger-called 'the poison finger'.The ring finger is the healing finger.

MrsChemist · 04/02/2012 18:40

This website has a list.

MrsChemist · 04/02/2012 18:38

I love all the old names for chemicals and elements.

Dephlogisticated air sounds way better than oxygen.

ScoutJemAndBoo · 04/02/2012 18:20

Lovers not livers lol.

However, some of the saddest sections are in infantacide, totally tragic tales.

ScoutJemAndBoo · 04/02/2012 18:19

Tis a great site for livers of old names too, you get some crackers.

Like

Griffiths
jeremiah
tess

Mitcheller
Ebenezer

ScoutJemAndBoo · 04/02/2012 18:17

Rofl wigeon!

SarahStratton · 04/02/2012 18:16

Grin Grin Grin

Now that is indeed, a find Grin

Wigeon · 04/02/2012 18:11

More from the Old Bailey records. Mr Brittain has lost his cock. Judith Ruth was cross-examined about Mr Brittain's cock.

J. Ruth. It was a big cock, but I can't say that I know it again.
Q. Look at this cock. ( She looks at it.)
J. Ruth. It was like this cock.
Q. to prosecutor. What time did you lose your cock?
Prosecutor. I lost it on the 20th of October, and found it again on the 27th of December.

Where was it found? Swallow Street, of course. Grin Grin

For anyone who doubts the authenticity of this exchange, the original is here.

SarahStratton · 04/02/2012 18:09

Mine too, you could always stick it in a plastic bag and freeze it anyway.

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