Daily AncestorSoftening of the brain
Softening of the brain was an 1800s diagnosis for decay of brain tissue, often after a stroke, given to people who failed slowly in mind and body.
Softening of the brain described brain tissue that had broken down, as seen at autopsy after bleeding, blocked blood vessels or inflammation. Doctors now call localized damage of this kind encephalomalacia.
In death notices it was given to older people who lost mental and physical strength over months or years. It was a broad label, so the real cause behind it varied.
As seen in a recordCause of death line on an early 1900s death certificate
Cause of death: Softening of brain. Duration: 3 yrs.
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Daily Ancestor. "Softening of the brain." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/causes-of-death/softening-of-the-brain. Last checked 2026-10-01.