Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-25
VOL. IXXII.
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
The Records sofLOngevity-Curi H.
luStratiOMS.


The Records sofLongevity-Cur H.
luStratiOns.
Psychologists from the days of Galen have
established rules and regulations for the pre-
servation of life, which are all included in the
natural laws. Upon i strict observance OF
these laws, and upon such natural conditions
as the parentage. constitution, and form of the
individual, longevity depends Hereditary Ion
gcvity is regarded byDr Noirot rs the most i'm
portant prognostication. Rush said ne never
knew all octogcnalian who could not quote
similar instances in his family. From staStis-
tical report of the hospitals and warehouses Of
London, out Of 497 octogenarians SOB were de-
sccnded from long lived parents.
Regarding the parcntage Bacon makes the
curious statement that those that resemble
the mother most are longest lived" The same
author describes the most favorable organiza-
ton for old age ''as one with head small in
proportion to the body, L moderate neck, wide
lustrils, large mouth, ears griSty, teeth sound,
Il rawboncd body. broad chest, large hand,
short foot, eyes large, and facility in holding
the breath. Medical authorities, as Il rule,
rely more on the general physique than on
minor details. The Celebrated lfufcland fa-
vors one Of the middle size, with complete
harmony Of all his parts, senses not too deli
cate, pulse slow and regular. Lavater, lays
more stress upon the countenancc. He says
every man destined to reach an advanced
period in life has a muscular forehead, furnish
rl with soft skin and the nose somwhat cur.
ye,l." With respect TO the sex, there has
been much discussion but it is certain that
women do attain as great age as men, not
withstanding their nitriority of form and Sc
dentary habits MsSch explains this want Of cx
crciSo as being compensated for by their talk
ing so much
The health Of the human race is very depen
dent upon the external conditions of life, cs-
pecally the character of location Or habitation
and Il country georgrap phically situated so us to
combine regularity OF the season with Il unl-
form, mild, and moist climate Is the most cou-
ducive to the prolongation of life. The most
unlayorablc localities are those where extremes
Of temperature prevail In Iceland and Sibe-
ria, both with extremely cold climates, 80 is
the standard of extreme age, while in China
with its enormous population, cGntcnarians arc
20 rare that when the Emperor in l7S4 assem-
hled the Oldest inhabitants OF the empire TO
the number Of 5000, there were only four
whose ages exceeded L century. Mountainous
regions, on account OF the purity of the atmos-.
pherc, ofes superior advantages to those Of
low countries Scotland, Switzerland, and
Wales are conspicuous i'll this respect. An
ciunt Greece and Italy were celebrated Tor their
salubrious climates, which partially explains
the many instances of extreme age among
their distinguished lnen of antiquity. Sopho-
clcs Thales, Demo, and Neuocrates exceed 90;
and Plato, Pindar. Solon, Xenophon and Py-
thagoras lived beyond SO years Cities have
been aptly termed ''the graves Of the; human
Species" on account Of the morality resulting
from disease cngcnderel by the Impurities .ot
the atmosphere ': =. ...'. r.. t"'.
Many of the cases of longevity are very
doubtful Nunias de Cugna is said to have
died in 1866, at the age of $50; but the fol
loving are some Of the most authenticated
Instances .. . o.: .,", ,t.-l1
Peter I.ortan, of Hungary, aged ls5 Louisa
Truxo, ncgrcsS OF South America, lI6; John
Rovin, of Hungary l72; Sarah his wife, l64;
Henry Jenkins England; 100; Mrs. Judith
Scott Of England, l6: Thomas Parr, Of Eng
land, I 152; iyau dc Outryci, Of France, l4G
the Countess Of Desmond, OF Ireland, l40
Alexander NJ Cullock of Scotland, l32; Peter
Garden of Scotland, l3l. .'|." ."
Very little information regarding the means
Of preserving life can be obtained from an ex-
animation of the habits Of these aged persons.
What is one mans poison, Signor,
Is anothers meat or drink"
-BeuunOnt ttnd Fletcher,
1t is related that old Lortan only food was
milk and cakes, with brandy. jenkins appears
to have subsstcd on salted beef and sour, lea
vened bread De Outeyri lived on corn meal;
Parr drank ale and sherry, and many centcna-
rians have been addicted to the use OF liquor
and tobacco. ,.'l !.
Whatever may be the effect of diet upon
longevity, it is certain that the occupation or
profession cxerts great influence Farmers are
generally the most favored, having the advan-
,age of nure air, plenty of exercise, wholesome
diet, and freedom from excitement. Clergymen
are long lived, for they lead regular lives. The
celebrated Wesley attained the age OF SSi haV-i
ing preached sixty-siX years. Tallors, shoema-
kers, printers, and watchmakers die young
from the confinement of their pursuits. hlasons,
plumbers, and painters arc unusually unhealthy
while carpenters and bookblndSrs are more 1
tortunatc stablemen and dycrs live long. One
.,o I'D not suppose that those connected with
w" xe would survive long, and yet there are
',I, .MU S inc, 'ances of very old actors Garrlck
H,.aI .n9 IN i ho vas Co. kemblc G6, Mrs Siddons
~ ~ ColIev Cbl,' ,'r St, and Forrest is upward, OF
~ oI,'St c,'rss have died very early
hut v + ;s Questionable ,wheather this is due to
;mmoderatn mse of the rain or their own eX-
'assns % !. Rvron died at &c, Burns at IS, Gold
smith at Il, Spencer OF '4G, Thomson at As.
Dante at 80, Tasso at 81, etc. .t...- .--...
The pursuit Of tho arts and sciences me-; seems 10
favor health many of the most llllStrlotls ar
t;sts attained great ages. Iitien lived to be
yG Michael Angelo, SO; Claude Lorraine,
IS Physicians, although exposed to constant
risk from disease, usually reach ola age, pu'
not extreme age Lawyers are shortl'vsu orh ed
In short all professions reqg!r.ns a acil sn suu
sttutes @ the maximum age. With literary IN, men
sieepthc most important auxiliary Of lheathw -,
is too often neglected. Sleep is as s, necessary y
after Intellectual as physical labor The loss Of l
sleep has been known to occasion detl, as horn III
the case of Lord Littlcton, and newborn q
infant could not survive twenty-tour hours !, 1t I
kent @ awake Shakespeare appropriately calls
Sleep, Nature soft nurse. The married s1ate
rI is more favorable than the single Button de-, e.
clarcs that marriage is the proper STATE s1I 81
man" and psychologists affirm that nearis Ini