Bills of Mortality

Bills of Mortality were early public health records that documented deaths, including causes and locations, in urban areas, particularly in 17th-century England. They served as a way for local authorities to track public health and demographic changes, especially during outbreaks of disease like the plague. By compiling and publishing this information weekly or monthly, these bills helped communities understand mortality trends and improve responses to health crises. They are considered precursors to modern vital statistics and epidemiology, playing a crucial role in the development of public health systems.