Daily AncestorIlluminating gas
Asphyxiated by illuminating gas meant death from breathing the coal gas piped into homes for lights and stoves, which contained deadly carbon monoxide.
Wiktionary explains illuminating gas as gas sold for lighting, such as coal gas, water gas or natural gas. Wikipedia notes coal gas held carbon monoxide and was highly toxic.
The 1911 Census Bureau manual lists asphyxia by illuminating gas (accidental) under absorption of deleterious gases, and asked that accident, suicide or homicide be stated.
As seen in a recordCause of death line, state death certificate, 1910s to 1930s
Cause: Asphyxia by illuminating gas, accidental.
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Illuminating gas." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/causes-of-death/illuminating-gas. Last checked 2026-10-12.