The record-union., 1891-01-25

been modified by conditions upon this
| continent.
The bulletin proves, if the figures prove
anything at all, that the customs of the
Jews are highly conducive to health and
to prolongation Of life. The report shows,
for instance, in stated group, the pro-
portion Of males to females among the
Jews in America, to be as 81, 1874 is to
2S,936. The annual marriages to each
1000 averages 7.4O, births 20.s1, deaths
I'll.
These figures would appear to prove
that the death rate among the Jews is but
about one-hslf that among other persons
of similar social position. About one
third of the Jews employ no servant, and
the death-rate among these is consider
ably lower than among those who en-
ploy servants. The death rate among
the former and poorer class is 6.94 ON the
LOCO, while among the others it is IT'S;
among those employing two servants it
is 7.2l, and among those employing three
it is 1877.
The figures also show that of 5O,GS4 of
male Jews born-the normal proportion
out of 100000 Of both sexes-half do not
die until they are II years of age. On the
other hand, the tables of actuaries of life
insurance companies show that of all
classes of people one-half the males born
should be dead at the end of AZ years.
According to the expectation tables of
thirty life insurance corporations in the
United States, in comparison with the
figures shown in this census bulletin, the
Jewish man at DO has an expectation of
life Of 36.17, and woman of SI.9S. But
for all other classes the mans is, at that
age, 2S,4S, and for woman it is about the
same.
But right here it is suggested to the
mind that the averages for all people in
clude all classes, while the calculation for
the Jews concerns distinctive and Sc
lected group among whom there is less of
poverty, suffering and neglect of the aged
than among the whole people undistin-
guished by classes and including all man
ner of population in America, gathered
from all quarters of the globe.
The bulletin discloses, however, some
facts not so favorable to the Jews; that is
that the marriage and birth rates are low;
and that the death rate is very materially
increasing. How far these facts may be
be due to the abandonment OF neglect of
Jewish traditional systems in this country
because of social conditions, we do not
undertake to say. We must confess also,
to some doubt concerning the accuracy of
the census showing. For it was not made
up as were other census vital statistics.
Obviously the enumerators could not 90
| about asking people if they were Jews,
and conformists, strictly, to the traditions
and rules of the faith, or ask them for
facts such as the bulletin gives. The Su-
perintendent, therefore, commissioned
Mr.. A. S. Solomons to gather the facts.
He prepared blanks in full detail and
sent them out to the heads of $1,000 Jew
ish families distributed throughout the
Union, the names being designated by the
Presidents and Rabbits of congregations.
Replies came from 10,6ls of these heads,
and upon those replies all the statistical
calculations were made. They lack, con-
sequently, comprehensiveness, though
that they have much value cannot be de-
MED.
We are not, therefore, ready to believe
that it is strictly true that the death rate
among Jews is but one-half that among
the general population. But we are pre-
pared to accept the doctrine that the sani-
tary regulations the Jews observe; their
respect for and care of the aged, their
habits of industry and frugality and the
observance of the regulations of the Mo-
sale law as to food and it's preparation,
and other matters, do CONCEIVE health and
longevity.
|