Daily AncestorErysipelas
Erysipelas is a strep infection of the skin causing a fiery red, swollen rash; it was historically called St. Anthony's fire.
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just below it, with a hot, bright red, raised patch that spreads, often on the face or legs, plus fever.
Its old name was St. Anthony's fire, though that name was also given to ergot poisoning and to shingles. Before antibiotics, erysipelas could spread and kill, which is why it appears on death records.
As seen in a recordCause of death column, 1850 to 1880 federal mortality schedule
Ruth Coe, 52, F, W, Married, Conn., April, Erysipelas, 9 days
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Erysipelas." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/causes-of-death/erysipelas. Last checked 2026-10-01.