Determining the meaning behind historical disease terminology through an examination of patterns of terminology used in the mortality statistics of Victoria, 1853-1900.

Presented are four methods which may be used to determine the meaning behind past terminology usage, demonstrated through the utilisation of Victorian Registrar-General Reports from 1853 to 1900. These methods are: (1) looking for direct changes in terminology usages; (2) use of a control disease; (3) comparing historical terms whose use mirrors each other; and (4) using risk factor statistics. Through these methods, it is concluded that in the second half of the nineteenth century the term 'hydrocephalus' referred to tubercular meningitis, 'intemperance' to alcohol poisoning, 'quinsy' and 'laryngitis' indicated a diphtheria infection, 'puerperal fever' referred to group A streptococci infection, 'typhoid/typhus' described typhoid more than typhus, 'teething' often indicated infantile diarrhoea and 'tumour' often a tapeworm infection.