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Constructing vital statistics: Thomas Rowe Edmonds and William Farr, 1835–1845

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  • John Eyler

Abstract

Cet article décrit le rôle de deux statisticiens anglais dans l'élaboration de statistiques de mortalité comme moyen d'évaluer l'état de santé de populations humaines. Un aspect clé de cette innovation a été l'utilisation de la loi de mortalité qu'Edmonds prétendait avoir découverte en 1832. En réalité, il avait simplement redécouvert la relation entre vieillissement et mortalité décrite pour la première fois mathématiquement par Benjamin Gompertz 10 ans plus tôt. Pendant les années 1830, Edmonds tenta d'attirer l'attention de la profession médicale sur sa découverte et de suggérer la façon dont celle-ci pourrait être utilisée pour évaluer l'état de santé de grandes populations, pour étudier la létalité et l'effet des traitements. L'application par William Farr des propositions d'Edmonds, à partir de la riche banque de données du Bureau du Registre Général, aboutit aux utilisations les plus sophistiquées des statistiques sanitaires au 19 ème siècle. Pour comprendre la motivation de ces deux statisticiens, il est essentiel de réaliser leur sympathie pour des réformes sociales dans une période profondément troublée par les coûts humains de l'industrialisation rapide et de l'urbanisation. Les deux voulaient réformer à la fois leur profession et la société. Copyright Birkhäuser Verlag 2002

Suggested Citation

  • John Eyler, 2002. "Constructing vital statistics: Thomas Rowe Edmonds and William Farr, 1835–1845," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 47(1), pages 6-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:47:y:2002:i:1:p:6-13
    DOI: 10.1007/BF01318400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. E. King, 1983. "Utopian or Scientific? A Reconsideration of the Ricardian Socialists," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 345-373, Fall.
    2. John Eyler, 2001. "The changing assessments of John Snow's and William Farr's cholera studies," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 46(4), pages 225-232, July.
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