My ancestor John Brazer B 1908 D Nov 1935 age 27 died of sleeping sickness anyone know anything about this?
Also he's buried at City Road sec B6 20048 anyone know if there's a headstone? I know Gertrude Mable Brazer his mum purchased the plot for £1-9-0.
Thanks Michelle
Hi Michelle,
My mother developed Sleeping Sickness (aka Parkinson's Disease) shortly after the birth of her third child in 1934.
Mom's symptoms were an uncontrollable shaking all down her left side, also facial symptoms, her left eye and lips sagged. She cheerfully raised four children (me included) and we never thought of her as handicapped, mom was our hero.
As Dave commented, whatever caused this brain disease, it was an affliction that was common at the time. A neighbour who lived down our street also had it but her symptoms affected her whole body.
The medications given at that time were Bella Donna, an addictive med which contained Codeine.
Although the condition can make life very challenging, I was not under the impression it could cause death. (my mom died of a heart attack in her seventies).
HAPPY HUNTING
Wendy in Guelph