The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-04
The Causes Of Death.
New York SUM-


Over 81, 600 deaths, carrying off about two
per cent. of the population, occurred in
Massachusetts, last year; and as the climate
and conditions OF life in that commonwealth
are in the main and the same as those of all
our older Northern states, we can get much
valuable information by the study of the
causes of these deaths.
OF the whole number, more than a third,
or II, 10 of the deaths, were those of chill
dreD under five years of age. Less than a
tenth part of the total, or only 1857, died
between the ages of 20 and 30, and from 80
onward the deaths numbered IL, 205, or some
thing more than half of the whole. Du.
ring 1877 there were Al, $50 births in the
state, but during the same time {, 343 infants
under one year were swept away by death.
To each 1000 living, the annual death rate
under five years was oyer 81, and it did not
rise even as high as half that until the age of
20 was passed, when it reached IS, and then,
of, course, rapidly increased.
These figures, like the statistics of mortal
ity everywhere, go to show that on the aver
age very young lives are far more in danger
than any others, except the very old. The
green fruit falls to the ground because it is
unable to withstand the blasts or is blighted,
and the old fruit drops because it is over
ripe.
Seventy Der cent. of the deaths wereIcaused
by twenty different diseases, but the greatest
fatality followed the Inroads of those old
enemies of life, consumption, dIphtheria,
pneumonia, cholera infantum, old age and
heart disease. The rest of the twenty causes,
arranged In the order of their destructive
ness, were paralysis, typhoid fever, cancer,
dysentery, commissions, Group, apoplexy,
scarlatina, diarrhea, Bright's disease and
drowning. Consumption was the great cause
of death, as ii has been in our climate within
the memory of man. More than sixth of
the whole number of deaths for the year
were due to that disease. In every county
in the state it stood first among the causes of
mortality. Diphtheria carried off less than
half as many victims, though it was the next
most prolific cause of death and pneumonia,
cholera infantum and heart disease together,
though they were also so destructive, were
responsible for only about as many deaths as
consumption alone.
1t is Interesting to observe that the deaths
from old age-1, $50, or about one twentieth
of the whole-stoOd next in number to those
from consumption in three of the Massachu-
sets counties, and those all the less densely
populated seacoast unties,-Branstable
which includes Cape Cod, Dukes and Nam
tucket, comprising the island of those names,
and PlymOIh, OF national fame. In the hill
counties of Berkshire and Franklin the or
der was first consumption; second, dlphthe-
ria; third, old age; the first, consumption;
second, pneumonia, third, old age, respect
lively.
The five causes which were the most des.
tructive OF life at different ages in Massachu-
sets, in 1877, were:
Under five years-First, cholera infantum;
second, diphtberia; third, pneumonia;
fourth, commissions; fifth, Group.
From five to teD-First, diphtheria; sec.
ond, scsrlatina; third, Group; fourth, typhoid
fever: fifth, pneumonia.
From ten to fourteen-First, diphtheria;
second, consumption; third, typhoid fever;
fourth, heart disease; fifth; drowning.
From fifteen to nineteen--FIrst, consump-
ton; second, typhoid fever; third, diphthe-
ria; fourth, pneumonia; fifth, heart disease.
From 20 to 29-First, consumption; Sec
ond, typhoid fever; third, pneumonia;
fourth, heart disease; fifth, Bright's disease.
From 80 to 39-First, consumption; Sec
ond, heart disease; third, pneumonia; fourth,
typhoid fever; fifth, childbirth.
From 40 to 49-FiIst, consumption; Sec
ond, heart disease; third, pneumonia; fourth,
cancer; fifth, typhoid fever.
From so 10 59-First, consumption; sec
ond, heart disease; third, pneumonia; fourth,
cancer; fifth, paralysis.
From so to 69-First, consumption; Sec
ond, heart disease; third, pneumonia; fourth,
paralysis; fifth, cancer.
From 30 to 79-First, old age; second, par
dlySlS, InlTO, nearG disease lOurIn, pneu-
m0nia fifth, consumption.
Eighty and over-First, old age; second,
paralysis; third, pneumonia; fourth, heart
disease; fifth, apoplexy.
The Massachusetts death statistics for
twenty years exhibit the progressive fatality
OF diseases of the central nervous system
apoplexy, paralysis, insanity, and inspect
fed brain diseases This steady increase is
only another proof of the great wear and
tear on the nervous system of our modern
life. The mortality from apoplexy Is much
greater in proportion among males than fe-
males, and SO per cent. of the deaths from it
occurred at ages above go, while ~ per cent.
Of those from paralysis, related disease,
were of persons above that age. Nearly
third of the mortality from apoplexy fell to
Sntfolk county, the seat OF Boston. That
terrible disease, cancer, destroyed 646 lives
in 1877, 70 per cent. of the deaths being of
females, and in the ages of which death oc.
CURED being chiefly between 50and 20. Con-
sumption is most fatal to females,
and in the decade of life between
20 and 30 years. Heart disease and Bright's
disease of the kidneys show remarkable in
crease in Massachusetts,, aselsewhere. during
the last ten years. but 1T is probable that
this increase is only apparent, many deaths
which formerly would have been registered
as due to dropsy being now correctly ascribed
to diseased conditions OF which dropsy is