To clarify listed causes of death:

Addison’s disease was an anemic condition caused by kidney disease.

Apoplexy is a term dating back to Hippocrates and refers to a stroke.

Bright’s disease is a form of kidney disease which covers many terms used today.  Acute form is also called nephritis.

Carditis means inflammation of the heart.

Catarrh is an inflammatory condition affecting mucous membranes such as throat and nose. 

Chorea or St. Vitus’ Dance identifies a nervous disorder.

Consumption was common in Yuba County in the late 1800’s, and refers to tuberculosis.  There was no effective treatment then, and progressed to a gradual body wasting with significant weight loss.

Diphtheria occurred mostly in the cooler months, could be spread by infected milk, and usually affected children more abundantly. 

Dropsy could be generally caused by kidney or heart disease and referred to swelling all over the body or in certain areas.  Ascites is swelling of the abdomen.

Enteric fever or typhoid could cause intestinal inflammation.

Enteritis means inflammation of the intestines.

Inanition is another cause of death common in the late 1800’s in Yuba County.  It usually affected infants, small children, and the elderly.  There was an inability to assimilate food, which could have been caused from illness or premature birth.

Marasmus was progressive wasting away.

Typhoid  was fairly common in Yuba County.  It could often be caused by unclean water, contaminated food or milk.  Flies could carry the disease and cause the contamination.

Many causes of death that took the lives of our early pioneers are now either prevented or treatable. 

Many Asians came to Yuba County in search of gold and work.  Most of them did not speak English, or very little at that time.  Because of the challenge in them being understood, their names were misspelled or “Ah” put as a part of their name – although it was just a part of their way of speaking.  For the researcher attempting to find ancestors of Asian descent, this will be a major challenge.