Makeham hypothesis
Pronunciation: māk′ăm
Definition: a development of Gompertz hypothesis as to the force of mortality following some mathematical law. Makeham assumed that death was the consequence of two generally coexisting causes: 1) chance; 2) a deterioration or increased inability to withstand destruction. The first of these is constant, the second is an increasing geometric progression.
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Examples: glitazone, GI cocktail, etc.

