[Acute morbidity and risk factors in Telemark 1870-1900].
BACKGROUND
In spite of methodological problems it has been concluded that Norwegian health statistics on acute morbidity in the late 19th century reflect genuine nation-wide health differences, a fact which calls for studies on living conditions in the areas concerned.


METHODS
Data on morbidity have been extracted from the annual medical reports from seven health districts in Telemark between 1870 and 1900. The incidence of widespread contagious diseases in two selected groups is calculated.


RESULTS
Illness increased in Skien health district throughout the period, while in Kragerø it declined from about 1885. The occurrence of acute gastrointestinal infections was higher in Skien and Kragerø than in the five rural districts. Remotely located rural districts had fewer outbreaks of epidemic diseases than the more central districts.


CONCLUSIONS
High occurrence of acute infections appears to have been related to extensive migration and a high level of through traffic. High population density combined with poor sanitary conditions seems to be a main cause of acute gastrointestinal infections. No obvious connections were found between health status and standards of general hygiene, diet and economic boom periods. It has not been possible to document any evident effects of public health work an acute morbidity, a few diseases of minor importance disregarded.
Storesund
Asbjørn
A
Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin, Universitetet i Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo. asbjorn.storesund@hit.no
D000208:Acute Disease; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality; D006304:Health Status; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000266:history; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation / Q000266:history