Cause of death

[silverender]

Hi, I have just received a death certificate for a great aunt who died in 1918. The cause of death was 1) Influenza and 2) Iles Colitis. Has anyone got any idea what the 2nd cause means.
Teresa

[RobinC]

It's similar to Crohn's disease from what I can see, something to do with ulcers in the upper or lower colon.

[terrysfamily]

It's similar to Crohn's disease from what I can see, something to do with ulcers in the upper or lower colon.

thus causing the inability to digest food, this together with Influenza the person would slowly waste away.

[glynisaddy]

its infammation of the colon usually the large intestine as in ulcerative colitis
glynis

[silverender]

Thank you Robin, terrysfamily and glynisddy. The poor little mite was only 19 months old. Her brother also had influenza but he recovered, he was that bit older.
Teresa

[RobinC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_flu_pandemic has details of the flu epidemic in 1918 which may have contributed to your great aunt's death.

It's sad to hear she was so young when she died.

[Adnepos_Iacobi]

Maybe ileo colitis? Inflammation of the ileum and colon...

[Peter Goodey]

Teresa
Don't forget that you have access to a wide range of reference material through Essex Libraries including medical dictionaries

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/dis/guc.jsp?channelOid=15524&guideOid=17103&guideContentOid=15556

Also have a look at the newspaper archives.