Supplement to the Sixty-Fifth Annual Report of the Registrar-General of England and WalesReview by: R. D.Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Vol. 71, No. 4 (Dec., 1908), pp. 695-700Published by: Wiley for the Royal Statistical SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2339383 .

Accessed: 25/06/2014 00:29

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

Wiley and Royal Statistical Society are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access toJournal of the Royal Statistical Society.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

1908.] 695

NOTES ON ECONOMIC AND STATISTICAL WORKS.

CONTENTS:

PAGE

1.- Registrar- General. Supple- ment to 65th Report, Part 2, 1908 ......... ............... 695

2.-Milan. La mortalita infaa- tile, 1908 ................ ......... 700

3.-Saltet (1. H.) und Falken- burg (P.), Kindersterblichkeit, 1907 ........................ 704

4.-Oliver (Sir T.). Diseases of occupation, 1908 .................... 704 ( . Home Office. Report on I Wages Boards, &c.,in New

5. Zealand [Cd-4167] 1908 705 iI. Select Committee on

Home Work. Report 1 (246), 1908 ........................ 705 r(Central (Unemployed) Body

for London, 1st and 2nd 6 Reports, 1906-07 ................ 709 6 } Charity Organisation Society.

Report on unskilled labour, t 1908 ......................... 709

7.-Meyer (M.). Streiks und Aussperrungen, 1907 ................ 711

8.-BAlmert (V.). La participa- tion aux ben6fices, Allemagne, Autriche, Suisse, 1908 ............ 712

9.-Lavergte (A. de). Richesse de la France, 1908 ...-................ 713

IO.-Jacob (J.). Progression des budgets en France, 1908 ............ 714

PAGE 11.- Vargha (J. de). Hungary,

1908 ......................... 715 12.- Williams ( V. M. J.). The

King's revenue, 1908 ................ 716 13.-Robertson (J. M.), M.P.

Trade and tariffs, 1908 ............ 717 14.-Sehuchart (Th.). Deutsche

Zuckerindtistrie, 1908 .............. 719 15.-KiiAlmann (C. von). Terniin-

Handel in nordamerikan-Baum- wolle, 1909 ......................... 721

16.-Hasbach (W.). English agricultural labourer, 1908 ........ 722

17.-Ks&batz (A.). Zur Frage der Alkoholconsumstatistik, 1907 ......... ................ 725

18.-Reyer (B.). Kraft, 1908 .... 726 19.-Hawkins (F. H.). Quetelet

as statistician, 1908 .................... 728 20.-Carnegie Foundation. The

Professor in America and Germany, 1908 ......................... 728

21.-Leroy-Beaulieu (P.). Col- lectivism, 1908 ......................... 729

22.-Davenport (El. J.). Value and distribution, 1908 .......... 731

23.-Bullock (C. J.). Elements of economics, 1905 .................... 732

24.-Other New Publications .... 734

1. Supplement to the Sixty-Fifth Annual Report of the Registrar- General of England and Wales. Part ii,1 1908. Price is. iod.

The object of the first part of these fSupplements being to deter- mine, as exactly as our present imperfect system of collecting data will allow, the general improvement in national health, the statistics collated for publication therein dealt with the mortality of popula- tions according to sex and age in the various sub-divisions of the country, taking no account of their avocations. In part ii, on the other hand, the object is to determine to what extent the changes in mortality rates-those of sickness and invalidity yet remain to

I A notice of part i will be found in vol. lxx of this Journal, p. 479.

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

696 Notes on Economic and Statistical WForks. [Dec.

receive official recognition-are shared by the individuals following different avocations. The transfer of the life-tables from part ii to part i, effected on this occasion, appears to be, not only logical, but distinctly advantageous.

This part of the Report is written in six sections, viz.: (i.) A general discussion of the methods and difficulties of the

work; (ii.) Variations in mortality experienced in 105 (groups of)

occupations; (iii.) Effects of alcoholic excess; (iv.) Effects of breathing dusty and foul air; (v.) Lead poisoning; and (vi.) Remarks on female occupational mortality.

Two charts or diagrams are included, showing (a) the comparative mortality figure for each occupation; and (b) the changes in mortality. The tables, other than those in the text, cover upwards of 250 pages.

The opening paragraphs of the Report show how this work has increased in complexity. At its inception it was limited to a study of occupational mortality within comparatively limited ages of* life, without regard to the causes of death. On the present occasion we are presented with the mortality experience among 105 occupational groups of males aged 15 years and upwards, subdivided into 7 age-groups, the causes of death being given under 24 headings. Occupational mortality is not uniform throughout the country, and consequently, for certain of the more important occupations, statistics are given for 4 different areas, viz., "London," "indus- trial" and "agricultural districts," and "other parts of England and Wales." The increasing urbanization of this country is made manifest by a comparison of the registration counties selected on this and the previous occasion as "agricultural districts." It will be convenient to deal with the principal contents of the Report under the main heads given above.

Difficulties and Methods.-All estimates of occupational mortality are attended with much uncertainty, owinig to looseness of designation of occupations and to changes of work during lifetime. As the designation of occupation is supplied by the worker at the census and by the registrar at death, it is impossible (or nearly so) to ensure that the same terms shall be used to indicate any one particular avocation. This defect might, we think, be remedied to a considerable extent by the issue of an official catalogue of occupations to local registrars and others. Change of occupation by a worker may (and undoubtedly does) introduce serious errors in the mortality statistics of certain groups of occupation, involving under-estimates of the mortality of occupations which entail much muscular strain or injury to health short of complete disability. The partially in- capacitated drift into lighter work, the mortality of such occupations being thereby estimated at too high a figure. Except for such disturbances as result from improved conditions in the former (whether by legislative interference or improved methods of work is not material for the present moment), a study of the statistics

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

1908.] Notes on Economic and Statistical JVorks. 697

for a series of periods will tend to correct errors of over- or under- estimation.

Occupational mortality is affected to a much greater extent by variations in the age-constitution of the groups of workers than is the general mortality by the combined operation of sex and age variations. This statement holds good even when the mortality is restricted to the "working period" of life (25-65 years of age). Total death- rates (whether for males aged 15 years and upwards or 25-65 years) are unreliable. The classic proof of this is the comparison of the mortalities of " farmers " and " all males." The total mortality for the former is higher than that for the latter, yet "farmers" enjoy at each age a lower mortality than do "all males." The safest comparison would be between age-group mortalities-much too cumbersome a process-and hence the system of " comparative mortality figures " has been devised, which is fully explained in the Report. Not only has it been necessary to calculate such " figures " for comparison of the mortalities (for 1900-02) of the different groups of occupations, but also owing to the changed age-constitution, to calculate similar " figures " from the data given in previous Supplements before the results of earlier inquiries could be com- pared with those of the last. This work was rendered the more laborious, but more necessary, owinig to only two age-periods (25-45 and 45-65) having been used previous to 1890-92. This fact helps to account for some of the delay in publication.

Changes in Mortality.-We may quote first the "comparative mortality figures" for the successive periods of the Supplemental Reports, as evidence of the reduction in the mortality of males since these inquiries were initiated.

ComparativeAfortality Fiqures for Males Aged 25-65 Years. 1860, 1861, 1871 .......... 1,o6 1890-92 ............... I55 '80-82 ........... i,o83 I 1900-02 ................ I,000

The increase recorded in the penultimate period was in all probability due to the prevalence of epidemic influenza.

The same results may be set out in another way, as regards the last three periods, by stating the numbers of individuals (males, aged 25-65 years) who yielded i,ooo deaths in a year. In 1900-02 that number was 71,005; in 1890-92, 61,215; and in 1880-82, 64,641.

In the census returns of 1861, and again in those of 1871, the " retired" were in no way distinguished from those in active work. In the returns for 1881 and 1891. those in active work were entered as "occupied," while the "retired" were aggregated under one single heading. At the last census the results were collated separately for the "occupied" and "retired" of each avocation. Data are thus available for calculating mortality rates for the occupied as distinct from the retired for each occupation or groups of occupations. The change in tabulation is eminently satisfactory, but necessarily involves considerable difficulty in making com- parisons with previous years.

The mortality among occupied males (25-65 years of age) VOL. LXXI. PART IV. 3 A

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

698 Notes on Economic and Statistical Morks. [Dec.

declined during the decennium 1891-1901 by i6-i per cernt. In 6 occupations (out of a total of 105) comprising something less than one-twentieth of the total occupied males, the mortality (that is the " comparative mortality figure ") was higher in 1900-02 than in 1890-92. The 6 occupations are:-general labourer, tin miner, general shopkeeper, copper miner, hosiery manufacture, and lace manufacture. The increase amounted to i per cent. only for " lace manufacture" and 5 per cent. for "hosiery manufacture "-the mortality of both being, however, below the average for all occupied males. The greatest increases were noted among " general labourers " (41 per cent.), " tin miners " (33 per cent.), and " general shopkeepers " (26 per cent.). Tin miners are so few in number that but little value attaches to the statistics relating to them. As regards the other two occupations, Dr. Tatham observes: "It is probable that owing to more accurate statement of occupation under each of these headings, the mortality figures in the two periods (1890-92 and 1900-02) are hardly comparable."

In all the remaining occupations, decreased mortality has to be noted, the decrease being in 8 (comprising one-twentieth of the total occupied males) less than Io per cent., and in 32 from 24 to 46 per cent. " Although in some of these occupations there is doubt as to the strict comparability of the figures, the reduction of mortality is so great as to indicate a real improvement in the condition of those workers .

Alcoholism.-" Experience shows that no estimate of the damage' done by alcoholic excess can be more than roughly approximate, and the probability is that the nearest approach to the truth will be attained by considering the mortality ascribed to alcoholism in relation to that of other conditions ordinarily associated therewith in the medical certificates of causes of death." In the previous supplement a table was given (p. xci) including all occupations with a mortality from alcoholism, among the occupied only, equal to more than twice that for all occupied males. On the present occasion the table (p. cix) includes the occupied and retired of those occupations having a mortality 50 per cent. above the standard. A second table (p. cxi) gives the comparative mortality figuires for the two periods for the occupied only. In 1890-92 there were I2 occupations with a mortality double the normal, and in 1900-02 21, with one 50 per cent. above that standard. An examination of the second table for the later period shows that the mortality from alcoholism (judged from the returns for " alcoholism "and "cirrhosis of the liver ") was higher in the later period in 8 occupations. Innkeepers and their servants had, as usual, the highest mortalities, but substantial reductions during the decennium were recorded, in the case of innkeepers from 337 to 297, and in the case of their servants from 194 to 174. There were also notable reductions in the mortality of butchers (from IO9 to 84), and lead workers.(from 92 to 52). General labourers, on the other hand, show an increase from 42 to 74.

Dusty and Foul Air.-The data used for this point are the deaths from " phthisis " and " diseases of the respiratory and circulating

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

1908.] Notes on Economic and Statistic(l Wmoks. 699

system." As regards dust, 3I occupations are dealt with, the mortality of " agriculturists " being selected as the standard. Tin and copper miners are the only occupations with increased mortality, the increase being 54 per cent. for the former and 6I per cent. for the latter. The greatest reductions (8o per 'cent.) are noted in the case of " wood turners, coopers, &c.," and " chimney sweeps." The smallest (54 per cent.) in " chemical manufacture." As regards foul air, of 78 occupations that of " general shopkeepers " is the only one with an increased mortality (20 per cent.). The comparative mortality figure for this class in 1900-02 was 635, as compared with i6I for agriculturists.

Lead Poisoning.-Twelve occupations are scheduled as having a mortality double that of all occupied males, nine of them being among the I3 scheduled in 1890-02. In this part of the Report the mortality from " plumbism," " diseases of the nervous and urinary systems " with " gout " is added to that from the diseases taken for " dusty and foul air."

"Apart from changes of mortality among occupied males generally, the excess of total mortality (from plumbism) in these occupations is now less than it was ten years ago." Taking the comparative mortality figure from plumbism among all occupied males as unity the following are the corresponding figures for the 5 occupations most exposed to plumbism:-

1890-92. 1900.02. 1890-92. 1900-02.

Lead worker ........... 243 103 Potter .................... 19 9 File maker ........... 87 57 Glass worker 13 8 Plumber, painter .... 22 22

It is noteworthy that plumbers and painters working more out of shops than any of the others, are least benefited by the regula- tions prescribed by the Home Office.

Mortality among Occupied Females.-Owing to the great interest taken of recent years in all questions relating to the occupation of women, more especially in connection with its influence on infantile mortality, the same particulars as to age, civil condition, and occupation were extracted during 1900-02 for all deaths of females aged 15 years and upwards as were taken out for males. The deaths of such females nunmbered 502,138, an occupation being given in 8-o per cent. of the entries, while in a further 2 8 per cent. the deceased was described as retired. The remainder (89-2 per cent.) fell, therefore, under the heading of " unoccupied." At the last census 34-5 per cent. of females aged 15 years and upwards were returned as occupied, o07 per cent. as retired, and 64-8 per cent. as unoccupied. "The enormous disproportion between the two sets of figures would alone suggest the existence of some disturbing influence sufficient to render the results of the inquirv nuggatory."

Believing that the data available understated the true mortality, three classes of women workers were selected for special inquiry, viz., cotton operatives (Lancashire), domestic servants and

3 A 2

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

700 Notes on Economic and Statistical Worlos. [Dec.

charwomen (London), not only with respect to age at death, but also with respect to condition of marriage. The selected occupations represent widely different conditions, and afford sufficient data for detailed analysis. The results of the inquiry are taken to " indicate clearly that no valuie can be attached to the original data from which these death-rates are derived."

A careful study of the Report leads us to the conclusion that much time could be saved by the adoption of "index numbers." A somewhat similar view appears to be held by Dr. Tatham but was not acted upon, and rightly so we think on this occasion. Referring to the " standard population" (p. xv)-the basis of comparative mortality "-he writes:- " With every change of standard population revision is required

if comparabilities is desired for the (comparative mortality) figures in the several periods. The question whether the standard popula- tion should be derived from the records of 1890-92, or from those of 1900-02, has been fully discussed. The adoptioin of the earlier standard would have left unchanged the figures already published, and wouild have shown the recent figures as less by about one-ninth part than they appear in the present report. After careful consideration, however, it has been decided to adopt the recent standard, and to recalculate the mortality figures for 1890-92 on this basis."

In a foot-note he adds- "This revision involves much additional labour; and, with

the further accumulation of records, the increase of labour may eventually become so great as to require the adoption of a fixed standard of reference."

We venture to suggest that the census of 1901 and the records used in this report afford an opportunity of setting up such a standard. For the first time full data have been obtained as to the " occupied" arid "retired" of each class of work, with the ages divided into quinquennial groups. Death registration is now more nlearly complete than it ever was, and generally we may say that the material used for the Report now dealt with conforms as nearly to the requirements of a standard as we are ever likely to reach in this country. R.D.

2. La mortalitdt infantile in Miilano: Risultati di unt' inchiestai sui Qnati net 1903 in rapporto ai modi di allatamento, e alle condizioni ,economiche dei genitori. Pubblicazioni dell' Ufficio del Lavoro della Societa Umanitaria. (N. 17.) Milano, 1908.

This pamphlet embodies the results of an inquiry conducted in Milan during 1905 by the Ufficio dlel Lavoro della SocietA Urnanitaria with the co-operation of the municipal and the poor law medical (medici condotti) services. The subject of the inquiry was the mortality among, and the state of health of children born in Milan during 1903, as influenced by methods of rearing, civil condition and ages of parents, and housing of the families. In spite of one serious defect, to which attention will be shortly directed, the report is one of great value, and will, we think, be found instructive

This content downloaded from 195.78.108.105 on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:29:20 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions