Breaking stereotypes. Historical demography in Belgium since 1981 (19th and early 20th centuries).
The introductory article of this special issue presents the main research results and trends in Belgian historical demography of the past two decades. Belgian researchers have displayed great dynamism and have broken down many stereotypes. Their attempts have been original thanks to the particularity of their sources, they have searched for methodological innovation and have challenged traditional ideas.
Epidemiology of Town and Countryside: Mortality and Causes of Death in East Belgium, 1850-1910.
The mortality analysis in East Belgium during the second part of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century reveals a deep disparity between town and countryside, which however disappears at the end of the period. Although its interpretation is difficult, the statistic of causes of deaths locates the original gap in the context of an epidemiological depression which affects the urban centres between 1830 and 1870.