The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-23


that the statements be received with some de-
gree of allowance especially deaths of the living
IN 1850 varied from in 43 in Louisiana in 233 in Or
egon Still the mortality of Maryland comprising pop
ulaton Of 5s3034 and showing death of 6S5 per
cent, is considered by Mr. Kennedy to be fair estimate
Of the standard of human life in the older settled States
and It is remarkable that male life it differs but
little from Farrs English Life Table for 1sil, whilst for
female life it gives expectation of from and half
to two years above the English table,
From the age of five years to that of fit en-, it
was found that lower rates of mortality prevailed
in Massachusetts than is generally the case in Eu-
ropean communities; that from fifteen to thirty
FIVE and from thirty-fve to fifty years of age, the
Massachusetts rates are much higher than the Eu-
ropean, but after fifty, they fall somewhat below
the latter.
Under the age of five years the mortality in Massachu
sets intense than in Europe generally from
to Is IL approaches close that of Sweden from II to
45, to Belgium though higher and after 45,
or to- but lower than, the average English rates AS
whole the mortality of Massachusetts is better represent
ed by that of England than Of any other European
Staten
The Reports of the New York. Massachusetts,,
and New Jersey Life Insurance Companies. and
the tables drawn up for their guidance, are next
passed under reyiew-the aim of the writer being
to ascertain how far that which has been accepted
as the general law Of mortality in the UNITED
STATES has been verified by, or differs from the ex-
perence of the companies themselves The report of
Professor Gill, exhibiting the experience of the
Mutual Life Assurance Company of New York,
and covering period of fifteen years, is stated to
comprise numerous facts of varied interest and
Importance" His reports ''were the first at
'tempts made in the UNITED STATES to ascertain
''the effects of climate in different sections of the
''country''-the object being to classify the in
surers in such a manner as TO arrange equitably
the amount of premium TO be paid in accordance
with the supposed risk to be incurred To attain
this end he divided the whole of the members of
the Company into five classes. Glasses l. and H.
comprising the Eastern and Middle States, and
west of the middle States, north of the Southern
line of Virginia and Kentucky, he suggests
should be insured at the original rate of
premium.
In Glass Ill., which comprised the States of the
preceding line and north of the 32d parallel of latitude
which was charged per cent extra, his calculations
showed that per cent extra the would
be required to meet the real risk The mortality Glass
w. including the States south of the 32d parallel of la
tude showed mortality of more than SO per greater
than Glasses l. and H., and whereas they were then
charged per cent extra the real rate ought be IL
per cent But in class v, which included the then un
settled districts of California, the mortality had
Glasses ]. and H. and requiring extra premium of
10 per centthat he could only the resolution
of advising that risks should be undertaken there at
The second Report of Professor Gill was made |
in 1858. ''Tt indicated general improvement in
''all classes except Glass ~, and very percepti-
''ble change for the better in Glass v" Mr. |
SHEPPARD Romans, who succeeded Professor GILL |
as Actnary to the Company, followed up the Re-
ports of his predecessor by Others which are said
to be marked 'by great scientific skill and |
liability" In his Report for 1858, the different
States combined in each class are thus Indicated
Glass l. comprises the New England States New York
New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and part
Of Virginia.
Glass II-Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa. Illinois, Indiana
Ohio, Missouri Kentucky, and part of Arkansas and Ten
nessee.
No extra premiums are charged for these two classes
Glass III.-Georgia, North and South Carolina. or
Southern States bordering the Atlantic The mortality
has diminished in the last years and has resulted ia
voraby for the company with the increased
charged since 1854.
Glass IV-Texas Mississippi Alabama. Florida Lon
siana or Southern States bordering on the Gulf of
Mexico. The mortality has materially increased in the
last five years, and to extent somewhat alarming. The
extra rate charged years was found to be
inadequate, and in 1854 it advanced from to per
cent, and on unaccmated risks from to per cent.
extra The present rates are not supposed to be too
heavy.
Glass y.-The Western Territories and California The
doubt arising from the increased facilities procuring the
comforts and necessares of fevin that newlysettled
country. The climate is believed be excellent and
though the first ten of the company showed heavy
loss 1.-THE actual deaths being every hundred pre-
diced yet the last five have scarcely exceeded the
tallty expected and hope is expressed that the time
may come when the extra will bear reduction
Glass YIThe Mississippi Valley, within miles of
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers north of sc degrees
This Glass has been recently formed of Glass H.
comprises only the immediate vicinity of these rivers
where charge of per cent extra, believed to be sui
cient, is made.
The most remarkable feature of the American
tables, as compared with those drawn up in Eng
land, is said to be 'the great comparative value of
life IN the former between the ages of thirty and
"sixty. Below thirty, and especially below TWEEN
''ty-fve, the value of life rapidly becomes less"
Both sets of tables however, agree in setting down
'two points Of nagiaa'' at the ages of twenty
seven and forty-two; and two of nainiaaa at the
ages of twentyfour and thiry-four; but the exces.
sive mortality at younger ages is remarked upon
with surprise, as being peculiar, in great mea-
sure, to the UNITED STATES, and is attributed 10
''the early period at which our young men enter
'upon the cares, and excitemcnts and anxieties
''of active business" There are, however, other
and graver causes than mere business cares to
which the increased mortality observable at those |
ages may be attributed; but passing these, we may
notice that as compared with the English la
bles, those of the two American companies |
quoted "show a lower rate of mortality at all ages
latter thirtyfve, and at the middle period of life,
''to very great EXTENT" but below thirty-fve
the rate is unfavorable when compared with the |
English. The statistics of our lunatic asylums |
show also a striking preponderance in the number
of patients below the age of thirty-fve, and, in
this respect, coincide, to remarkable degree, with
the mortuary tables of our Life Assurance Com
panies,