Consequences of World War I

[bucolic_frolic]

I had family lore about a great-uncle who was in WWI. Recently, randomly accessing ancestry, I found out more about him and his household which contained my great-grandmother, grandfather, and a great-aunt we knew quite well.

And it is a sad case, but since it's about genealogy thought I'd post here. The story always was he was in a VA hospital in the Bronx. True enough. Grandfather would visit his brother but never allow other family members to see him. Gassed and disfigured they were told. Probably true.

Very sadly he entered World War I arriving in France 3 weeks before the war ended, and was returned home 9 months later. His discharge papers say disability 0%. None.

1920 he's living with his family, and has a job as a plumber assistant. By 1930 he's in the VA home in the Bronx.

In 1936 he dies in a VA facility near Philadelphia, presumably so he can visit another brother a bit west of the city.

But it's the death certificate that is chilling. Status Epilepticus which sent me scurrying. Status Epilepticus with psychosis grand mal type, a condition he's been afflicted with for 16 years. Despite that he must have been carrying on since his occupation is listed as salesman with an electric company.

Phosgene gas and other nerve agents contribute to Status Epilelticus. This involved powerful muscle contractions that last longer than 5 minutes, and they can be fatal, and were in this case. Reminds me of descriptions of tetanus, or psychiatric patients in a catatonic state.

Here's an article on this illness. Sorry for the intro of such a bleak topic but I'd never heard of it before.
https://www.brainfacts.org/brain-anatomy-and-function/genes-and-molecules/2013/chemical-warfares-attack-on-the-brain?

[Texaswitchy]

1. My Grandfather served in WW1.

He talked about having to shave everyday in cold water if necessary so the gas mask would fit properly.

He saw a lot of action and was wounded.

My Grandfather had a small pension because of his wound.

So should your Great Uncle.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. I never thought of that, thanks

It's something more to search for. Don't even know if his service records still exist, so many destroyed in fires over the years.

[Texaswitchy]

3. There was a big fire in I think St. Louis and a lot of military records were destroyed.

My father lost his WW2 records.

Took forever to get his 100 percent disability but he did.