[Autopsy records in Cologne from 1914 to 1960: changes in diseases, society and institution]

The first half of the twentieth century was marked by noticeable changes in society, medicine and institutions. The interrelationship between these factors can be demonstrated by clinical mass sources, in particular by patient and autopsy records, which historians have so far neglected. A longitudinal study was made where data, such as gender and age as well as clinical and anatomical-pathological diagnoses were collected, based on 250 autopsy records from 8 selected years between 1914 and 1960. The random samples taken showed clear differences in gender relationship and in age composition and in addition they revealed a significant reduction in mortality caused by inflammation and an increase of chronic diseases, such as tumors or cardiac-circulation ailments. The origin of this development is seen in medical progress as well as in institutional and ideological circumstances, therefore multidimensional reciprocal effects must be thoroughly analyzed.