The structure of mortality during catastrophic years in a pre-industrial society.

Abstract The aim of the study is to examine the way in which the pattern of mortality in a pre-industrial society differed in catastrophic years from that in 'normal' years. Five Finnish parishes with a total population of 21,000 in 1850 were examined. The deaths were classified by season, age and cause. The results support the theory that epidemics not directly connected with starvation were the main causes of mortality peaks.