The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-02-02
Registration of Births, Marriages,
and Deaths

upon the circumstances connected with
these three interesting eras of existence.
Our statutes require these circumstances
to be recorded during the present month.
No effort is required to elucidate the or
binary advantages of such registration,
such as proofs of lineage, rights OF dover,
and requests Of property. The importance
Of these cannot but be perceived Oh the
least reflection. But there are PERSONS
more profound and far reaching, results
more important to the welfare and glory
Of man, obtainable by this means,
which not only justify, but demand its
thorough consummation. From the facts
obtained thereby, are deducible the rules
and differences of health and the sources
OF disease and premature mortality-many
of which need but be known to be avoided.
Coincident with improvements in the
health and condition Of individuals, are
increase Of years, and advancements in
private and public morals, and in the
strength and virtue Of the State"
Geneva was the first to establish sys-
ten of Registration of Births, Marriages,
and Deaths. For more than three hun
dred years it has been continued with great
care. Human life has wonderfully i'm.
proved its mean duration has increased
more than flee times; the proportion of
adults-with whom lies the true greatness
of the State-has become larger happi-
ness has also increased and Geneva has
arrived at high state of civilization.
"These results, so glorious for individuals,
for the community, for humanity, are de.
rived from the better knowledge and under
standing Of the science of life and health,
the data Of which are furnished by the
statistics Of the Registers"
The elements Of hygiene, or SANITARY
science, can only be developed by complete,
accurate, extensive and long continued re-
gistration. 1t is the aim of this science to
extend life without disorder to the period
Of its natural termination, or, in the
language of Blumenbach, ito the ultimate
line of physiology to death without
disease"
We have long boosted of the superior
salubrity of our State. Let us know by
the actual facts, accurately ascertained
and honestly reported, whether our boast
ing has been vain. Let all,'upon whom
devolves the duty of carrying out the pro-
visions of our registration laws, be faithful
and prompt in collecting the facts and ma.
king their returns IF the town clerks
have not already obtained their blanks,
they should Immediately procure them
from the county clerks, in whose hands
| they are. The district clerks should lose
no time in performing their duty in this
matter. Clergymen and magistrates
should, without delay, report to the town
clerks the marriages they solemnized du.
ring the past year, with all the circum.
stances, required by law to be noted
Commencing with the experience Of
other States we have an admirable system
of registration. 1t only requires to be
properly carried out, to furnish great
amount of material necessary for the i'm.
provement of the people in their moral
and physical condition, and in the length
OF their lives.
The returns for the year 1857, received
from nearly every town in the State, were
exceedingly valuable, and perhaps as COM
pete as could be expected for the frs,
year. The first Annual Report is in pro.
cess of being printed and will be distribu.
ted when it is completed. 1t is to be
hoped that enough of interest in this mat.
ter, will be felt to ensure such accuracy
and completeness in the returns as to make
the Reports reliable, and enable them tc
take their stand beside those of other coun.
tries.
Aside from all the benefits which d.
rectly accrue to the people Of our OWL
State, we can have the satisfaction o.
knowing that we are laboring for the vel
fare of the whole human family. 1t il
from such statistics as these that the law
of development and the conditions of man
Hesitation of diseases can alone be discoy
| cred. The essential causes of diseases car
only be determined by noting their pesenct
and relative force Of mortality, in different
communities, under all the varying circum
stances Of climate, race, social habits, Gus
toms, institutions, diet, &C., &c. In thi
noble cause our reports will be Of esseDtia
l service.
| We are prepared fully to endorse tn,
following remarks in the fifth Annual Re
| port of the Registrar General of England
II a