CHAPTER II

THE PASSIONATE STATISTICIAN (1859-1861)

Statistics as a passion. Miss Nightingale's study of the works of Quetelet--Careless statistical records in the Crimean War--Her model Hospital Statistical Forms--Advantage to be derived from such data--International Statistical Congress in London (1860)--Miss Nightingale's alliance with Dr. Farr--Adoption of her Forms--Her reception of the delegates--Circulation of her paper--Partial adoption of her scheme by London and other hospitals. II. Her advocacy of the better utilization of Government statistics--Her efforts to extend the scope of the Census of 1861--Correspondence with Mr. Lowe and Sir George Lewis--An appeal to the Lords 428