Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-01-23
Thomas Barrett, D~ PHRASE NOTE THE ADDRESS :- 55 BANK STREET, NEXT DOOR TO AruTuECARY HALL.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
Secretary ColweIl Makes a study O.
 the Causes of Denth.,

Secretary Colwell Makes n study of
 the Causes of Denth.>
 The frequency of deaths in the order of the Knights of Columbus throughout the state, caused largely by the epidemic of influenza, has caused Supreme Knight John J. Phelan, of Bridgeport, and General Secretary Daniel Colwell, of New Haven, to issue circular to the various councils. The officers believe that through sympathy, persons in poor health are often admitted just in time to enable their relatives to get the benefit fund. and though the order has not greatly suffered in this way it deemed it more just to the responsible members to reject all applications when the risks are hazardous. The circular says
 "During the period of seven months, ending October 3l, 1889. of those ad- mittsd to membership from February 26, 1888, to July s, 1889. eighteen have died, many of whom. of disease. the germs and progress of which must have been present and known to the physi- clans of councils and members thereof. had they but faithfully exercised that scrutiny and careful responsibility that position and membership in the order imposes To no fraternal body need the Knights of Columbus yield the palm of a more liberal indulgence in the exer- else of charity and sympathy to its members and beneficiaries, yet notwith- standing such. its generosity in this re- gard is not likely to be imposed upon, but is in my judgment being positively abused.
 The remedy is mainly if not wholly in the hands of councils and their physi- clans. It will not do as in the past for members of councils by their own in action, when ballot box protest is ur- gently demanded. to permit the mis- directed sympathisers of applicants for membership, to impose upon the order through their shallow sentiment, a class of risks that we'll ordered insurance companies could not by any pretext be induced to hazard.
 "Let not ambition for increase of membership or a misguided chivalry for the beneficiaries of applicants, when such applicants are known or suspected of being of doubtful insurance risk, induce us to forget the duty we owe to the order as such, and to the members thereof, who have even from the first and now arc, bearing their burdens faithfully, in the hope that in the pru- dence of its members the permanency of the order is established, and that by reason of such permanency it may be empowered to administer it's consola tions in like faith to their survivors"
 MT Colwell has made close study of the causes of death, and he says that ir the order no teetotaler has died of pneu monia, and that he never knew that disease, now so prevalent, to result fatal ly to person who had during his life entirely abstained from intoxicating liquors. He says that several physicians with whom he has conversed on the sub jsct, substantiate the opinion that most of the persons who die of pneumonia art habitual drinkers to some degree. A great proportion of the deaths in the Knights of Columbus are caused by con sumption. The cause of so much pull monary disease IS due, Mir Colwel thinks, to the fact that most of the mem bers of the order are strong and rugged and therefore neglect to pay proper at tention to their health, exposing them selves to sudden heat and cold and ; great many ways that weaker persons would cautiously avoid.