The elements of vital statistics / by Arthur Newsholme.

  • Arthur Newsholme
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elements of vital statistics / by Arthur Newsholme. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/380 (page 3)
    CHAPTEK I. POPULATION. TO obtain correct and complete vital statistics it is essential to have (1) a correct enumeration of the population classified according to age, sex, occupation, etc.; and (2) a complete and accurate registration of huths and deaths and other important events in the life-history of individuals, as marriages and sickness, classified on the same basis as the statistics of population. An accurate estimate of population is the first desideratum, for population forms the natural basis of all vital statistics. In comparing different communities it is necessary to state the deaths and other statistical data in terms of the population, otherwise no true comparison can be instituted. The actual population is known only by census enumerations. For the years intervening between two census enumerations esti- mates of the population are made. The first complete census of modern times was taken in the year 1751 in Sweden. In England the first census was in 1801, and then decennially, the tenth being taken on April 6th, 1891. The first census, in 1801, showed the number of males and females- of each house and family, and the occupation, classified roughly as agricultural, trading, and others not comprised under these two heads. In 1821 information was first sought as to ages, but it was left optional whether this information should be furnished or not. The first census which could be described as fairly complete was that of 1851, which was organized under Dr. Farr's super- vision. It obtained information as to occupation, birthplace, relationship (husband, wife, etc.), civil condition (married, widow, B