The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-02-04
G&le1nteIlrQe.ltel:

Does the Present Mode Of Life Of
Our Farmers Produce Mental and
Physical DeFangement, In a Great
er Proportion than Other Occupa-
tiOnSi
from the Weston Democrat Of the2dl
A recent number Of the Wheeling In
TELLIaENcER contained a very elaborate
editorial article, showing, by the report
Of the West Virginia and other asylums
for the insane, that insanity was much
more frequent among those engaged in
agricultural pursuits than among "dwell.
ersin towns" There was so much sound
philosophy and good reason In the state.
nents made by the writer,-both in prov.
ing that he was correct and in account
ing for the cause,-thst We have given the
subject some consideration; and we find
that his ideas In this regard will bear the
test OF criticism.
Hitherto, the fresh air OF the country,
the pure water OF the mountain springs,
and the healLhful exercise attendant upon
an agricultural occupation, have been re.
garded as In every way conducive to.
physical and mental health, and ultimate
longevity. We regret 10 see this iavorite
idea exploded by the stern logic OF facts
and figures; but II Is truth abundantly
proven by stalisticians that farmers are
not near so long-liycd as persons en-
gagged In trade, and living in towns and
cities. For illustration; Out Of G9,997 sg.
ricultural labOrers in Pennsylvania, only
2,Ol1 are 90 years Of age, and out oil 1874.
$40 in New York, but 1884 arc over
three-score. BY reference 10 the census
report, II will be seen that the same prin.
ciple applies In all other States, not only
as regards longevity, but In cases OF men.
tsl disorder. The average rate OF human
lie latter arriving at maturity Is SO years;
but II Is shown by vital statistics that
preachers, lawyers, doctors, merchants,
and members oil almost all the trades and
professions, live, on an average, nearly
twice as long as farmers. West Virginia,
as we shall show, is an agricultural com.
munity; and the average rate Of life here
(of the whole population is but IS years.
Statistics also place 1t beyond doubt
that In the cities and towns, extreme and
vigorous old age are to be met with much
more frequently than In the country, and
they also point unerrlDgly to the TACT that
much larger proportion Of the insane
come from the pillow and the reel rather
than the studio, the desk or the work
shop. In looking over this latter matter,
we have had reference 10 the authorities,
and we are compelled, much against our
will, 10 demollsh our iavorite structure
by the following facts: sl.l IN
The census Of 1870 credits West Viz
ginia with population Of sos, 424 persons
over 10 years OF age, of whom 1854 ,29S4 are
males and 154 100 females. We are also
credited with 1i6 ,229 persons engaged in
all classes Of occupations, of whom 107,-
R6 are malesan 8, 1853 females. OF this
number $3.50 are engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits, and all Of these are males
except 2S5. The total number engaged
in professional and personal services is
1859, OF whom 0G96 are males and
1858 females. The total number en-.
gagged In! etrade and transportation is
6,s97, Of whom 6,sSS arc males and 8 are
females. The number engaged In pmin-
Jug and mechanical and manufacturing
industries" Is 1888, Of whom 10 SGT are
males, and $40 females. For the conyen,
fence OF the reader, we recapitulate as fol.
lows, dividing the total MALE population
engaged IN some occupation, under the
1870: -. -
HngaHad In agriculture .,,,.,......- n 7s