A scale analysis of nineteenth-century industrialization

Secular Trends in Tuberculosis during the Second Epidemiological Transition: A Swiss Perspective

“…high quality mechanical parts and textiles, see below), slow spread of railways, a strong dependence upon foreign labor, limited geochemical natural resources, such as coal, a high rate of international investment, a geographical concentration of economic activities in micro-units, and a very high level of industrialization (Butler et al, 2000;Steinberg, 1996). In fact, by 1850, Switzerland ranked fourth in the level of industrialization behind the United Kingdom, Belgium and the United States (Siegenthaler, 1972). Railway systems developed quickly in the mid 19th century in other early industrializers, but lagged in Switzerland, even in comparison to other aspects of economic growth.…”

“…While the country maintained a high rate of importation for cereals, exports, particularly of luxury items, formed a critical component of the economy; only Belgium had a higher export rate. Switzerland's overwhelming economic focus on export and luxury items, like watches and embroidery, was due to the nation's dearth of raw materials, and high transport costs (Butler et al, 2000;Siegenthaler, 1972;Steinberg, 1996). Little economic centralization occurred; Swiss industrialists and canton governments were not supportive of large scale production and industrialization or the construction of factories (Steinberg, 1996).…”

“…A number of other names were given to pulmonary conditions presenting tuberculosis-like signs and symptoms including "consumption", "phthisis" and "the white plague", while diseases of other organs caused by M. tuberculosis were referred to as tabes mesenterica and "scrofula" or "King's evil" (Herzog, 1998;Miller & Thompson, 1992;S. Newsom, 2006;Smith, 1988). In addition, disease diagnosis prior to the 19th century did not have a high degree of certainty, and new systems of disease classification were introduced in the early 20th century (Dormandy, 1999;Rucker & Kearny, 1913).…”