This talk explores relationships between race, slavery, medicine, statistics, and disability in mid-nineteenth-century Britain. At its core are a series of reports on military medical statistics that would become the backbone for subsequent claims about the reality and numerical value of race. At the end of the talk, Professor Seth reflects on what this case might help us understand about our present moment, when statistics concerning racial susceptibilities to disease once again seem to encourage the use of race in our analyses.  

After his talk, Prof. Seth will be joined in discussion by Prof. Noah Tamarkin, Anthropology and Science & Technology Studies.