Mortality in the Western Pyrenees during the 18th century. Data from the parish register of the village of Arudy (1741-1800), Bearn, France

Objectives We aimed to determine the public health status of an 18th century mountain locality. Methods We collected data registered in parish death certificates from Arudy, a small village in the French Pyrenees during the period 1741-1800. Results Two thousand and six hundred and sixty-three cases were studied. About 50% of deaths occurred during the first 10 years of life. There were some particularities in deaths pattern with regards to age categories between males and females and seasonality. A fraction of individuals died at advanced ages (24.1% >= 60 years and of note three cases >= 100 years). The cause of death was reported in only 2.2% of cases (nearly always sudden fatalities). Maternal mortality could not be precisely determined. Throughout this period we identified a series of mortality crises which targeted mostly children and were probably in relation with undocumented epidemics. Conclusions These data offer some clues about the sanitary situation of an European mountain community during the 18th century.