Den osunda staden : sociala skillnader i dödlighet i 1800-talets Sundsvall

Sammanfattning: This study deals with the topic of social class and mortality. In particular, the analyses are concentrated on the question of how social differences developed in an era which was characterised by industrialisation, urbanisation and sanitary improvements. This work also discusses how the problems of social class and health were dealt with in the nineteenth Century. The development of medicai care and public health are especially studied. The development of mortality in different social classes is analysed on micro level in the town of Sundsvall during the 19th century, for which the parish registers for the period 1803-1894 have been transferred on to data. This town became the centre of an expansive saw mill area from the middle of the Century.In contrast to the view of contemporary witnesses, inequality seems to have been fairly small in some age groups, but the pattems diverged between them. Mortality among adults was largely dependent on cultural variables such as life style and attitudes, and social differences played a minor role. Men had much higher mortality than women. The development does not seem to have been primarily affected by industrialisation, urbanisation or sanitary improvements. For children 1-14 years old, on the other hand, conditions created by industrialisation and urbanisation seem to have been of the utmost importance. Child mortality increased from 1860, affecting first of all working class children. Overcrowding increased the spread of infectious diseases. Sanitary improvements may have had an effect on the mortality level from around 1880, but more definitely in the 1890's. The same is also the case regarding infant mortality. They may have had some impact on the initial decline in infant mortality, but the connection appears to be stronger in the 1890's. The social inequality in infant mortality was insignificant until late 19th centuiy, but increased at that time. Among infants, feeding practises were also of importance.