The history of a hospital and its diagnostic index

Abstract

Organized medical services have been provided in Cardiff since 1822. From that date the outcome of hospital treatment has been analyzed with increasing detail. Initially mortality appeared to be low; this was due to the exclusion of incurable and many seriously ill patients from the hospital. During the 19th and early 20th century mortality was mainly from infectious diseases and the incidence of lung cancer, arterial disease and drug overdoses was low. The detailed analysis of certain specialized services such as obstetrics and paediatrics often heralded more effective treatment.