I'm a junior at Pitt majoring in film studies and history and minoring in political science. 

Working Notes:

Coroner Files 1960's:

January 18 and 19

Docket #’s:  Box 271 196807_? – 196808_4

Two suicide notes in this box.  One was very specific with multiple instructions from an Egyptian/Albanian man who was just laid off from his job.  He told his wife that he could not bear making her support him.  (“I’ve failed as a husband and an engineer…Empty the bank account and spend it on yourself…) The other was short and looked as though it was scrawled in blue marker at the last minute.  It read “…I have lived my life.  There is no more for me.  I am going to be no more…”

Industrial accident:  news headline:  ‘Explosion kills laborer as drill hits blasting cap’ from November 10, 1967 (picture of LBJ and generals on back of clipping) There is a file of pictures of the victim at the scene from the Detective Bureau (not very graphic).  There is witness accounts typed on yellow legal-pad paper.  Most of the file is paper work for the company and various agencies.

Finished Box 271, case files were unremarkable, many natural deaths

Assisted Elaina (another intern) with data entry from 1966-1968.

Docket #’s: 197003_? – 197004_?

Found a case file of one of my distant relatives, George Blasko, died of hardening of the arteries, a symptom of heart disease.

One victim of overexposure, found in their home.

One suicide of a mother of three very young children also killed her children accidentally when she put them on the second floor of her home, went to the garage, and started the car in the closed house.  She was wearing a crooked red wig when they found her.

Docket #’s: 197004_? – 197004_?

One female victim of over-exposure found in her home, very graphic pictures.

One case of a man in his 40s from Monroeville, a manager at a retail store with a wife and children, was found by them in his cellar bathroom with his feet handcuffed. He had one hand in handcuffs that were chained around his abdomen.  He was nude except for a diving suit head covering with some type of bandage over his mouth.  He was kneeling, hanging from a light fixture above.  His case was first called a suicide, then an accidental death.  What was going on in that bathroom before he passed?

One very long, poetic suicide note from a 19-year-old man.  He lost his girlfriend Cathy to a man named Rick at a party.  Cathy did not know he knew about her and Rick then. He writes to Cathy, “I’ve found my tomorrows.” 

A man in his fifties committed suicide by a 12 gauge shot gun, but before he did, he rigged his wife’s room with canisters of ‘gas’ in the rafters above and below the room, so that when she turned on the light, the room would explode.  She lived through the fire.  His file includes his mug shot. 

Man had a fatal seizure while waiting for his turn in a bowling alley. 

 I looked up a few of the medical terms in Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary to better understand the causes of death.  Here's what I found:

    Taber’s defines delirium tremens as, “The most severe expression of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, marked by visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations, extreme disorientation, restlessness, and hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system (evidenced by such findings as pupillary dilation, fever, tachycardia, hypertension, and profuse sweating). About 15% of affected patients may die, usually as a result of co-morbid illnesses. In most affected patients, recovery occurs within 3 to 5 days.   Sedation with benzodiazepines is the cornerstone of therapy. Other principles of general supportive care include airway protection (and intubation, when indicated); fluid and electrolyte resuscitation; hemodynamic support; protection of the patient from injury; and seizure precautions. Comorbid conditions resulting from chronic alcoholism, such as pancreatitis, esophagitis, hepatitis, or malnutrition, may complicate therapy. The patient and those around him or her are protected from harm while prescribed treatment is carried out to relieve withdrawal symptoms. The patient's mental status, cardiopulmonary and hepatic function, and vital signs, including body temperature, are monitored in anticipation of complicating hyperthermia or circulatory collapse. Prescribed drug and fluid therapy, titrated to the patient's symptoms and blood pressure response, are administered; and the patient's need for anticonvulsant drugs is evaluated, and such drugs given as prescribed. A calm, nonstressful, evenly illuminated environment is provided to reduce visual hallucinations. The patient is called by name, surroundings are validated frequently to orient the patient to reality, and all procedures are explained. The patient is observed closely and left alone as little as possible. Physical restraints should be reserved for patients who are combative or who have attempted to injure themselves. Patience, tact, understanding, and support are imperative throughout the acute withdrawal period. Once the acute withdrawal has subsided, the patient is advised of the need for further treatment and supportive counseling.  It is crucial to distinguish the signs and symptoms of alcoholic delirium from those caused by intracerebral hemorrhage, meningitis, or intoxications with substances other than alcohol. Evaluation of the patient suspected of having DTs may therefore require neuroimaging, lumbar puncture, or drug screening.”

Dropsy is now known as generalized edema. Taber’s defines edema as, “A local or generalized condition in which the body tissues contain an excessive amount of tissue fluid. Ascites and hydrothorax are words for excess fluid in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, respectively. Generalized edema was previously termed dropsy. Edema may result from increased permeability of the capillary walls; increased capillary pressure due to venous obstruction or heart failure; lymphatic obstruction; disturbances in renal function; reduction of plasma proteins; inflammatory conditions; fluid and electrolyte disturbances, particularly those causing sodium retention; malnutrition; starvation; or chemical substances such as bacterial toxins, venoms, caustic substances, and histamine.”