Cultural Contingencies of Alcoholism: Variations Between and Within Nineteenth-Century Urban Ethnic Groups in Alcohol-Related Death Rates

Statistics from the 1890 U.S. census are basis of this comparative study of adult death rates from alcohol-related causes in urban white ethnic groups (defined by birthplace of mother), with specification of sex, sex & marital status, neighborhood status, & sex & neighborhood status. Those of Irish origin had the highest death rates. Rates from alcoholism by sex & marital status conform to Durkheim’s finding for suicide.(NBB)