Van ziektegeval tot ziektengetal

This article contains a discussion of the various problems the epidemiologist meets in measuring morbidity; both, at the beginning, in defining the counting units, and at the end, in interpreting the results. The author stresses that most of our knowledge about the distribution of morbidity and the patterns of disease is still lacking. An exception should be made for statistics of absence in industry. However, by using this medium new problems are introduced by the divergency of absence behaviour. The author indicates that the influence of these behaviour governing factors can be eliminated by converting the incidence rates into proportionate figures. With this simple procedure comparability of contemporary absence data can largely be increased. As to previous periods, for some diseases at least, comparison will still be hampered by changes in health conception. A striking example of altered attitudes in this respect procures “neurosis”.