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Mortality data trends have suggested that the risk for dying of gastric cancer or peptic ulcers was greater for persons born in the nineteenth century than for those born in the twentieth century. To examine this issue using morbidity-data trends, investigators reviewed the records of patients with gastric cancer, gastric ulcers, or duodenal ulcers who were admitted to four hospitals in Scotland and three hospitals in the U.S. during various periods from 1742 to 1934. Rates of admission were determined for consecutive 5-year periods.
Similar patterns were found in all the hospitals. No admissions for gastric cancer or peptic ulcer were recorded before 1800. Admission rates for gastric cancer increased dramatically during the nineteenth centu…