Florence Nightingale — Causes of Mortality in the Army | Infografr

DIAGRAM of the CAUSES of MORTALITY

in the ARMY in the EAST

APRIL 1855 to MARCH 1856

APRIL 1854 to MARCH 1855

Total Deaths

22,700

April 1854 – March 1856

Died of Preventable Disease

70%

↓16,000 soldiers

Died of Battle Wounds

20%

4,600 soldiers

Mortality Reduction After Reforms

74%

↑sanitation improvements

■ Preventable Disease ■ Battle Wounds ■ Other Causes

Data: Report of the Commission appointed by the Secretary of State for War, 1858 • Original design: Florence Nightingale • Recreated in Infografr Studio

Inspired by Florence Nightingale's 1858 polar area diagram showing causes of death in the Crimean War

Travis Travis (itztravis)

Made with Infografr

The Story Behind the Data

Florence Nightingale's 1858 diagram proved that 16,000 soldiers died from preventable disease — not battle wounds. Her polar area charts convinced Parliament to reform military hospital sanitation, reducing mortality by 74%. The blue wedges (disease) dwarf the red (wounds) and black (other causes), making the argument visually undeniable.