The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-26
DEATH RATE OF OUR CITIES.

A bulletin has been published recently by
the Marine Hospital Bureau which gives some
interesting statistics as 10 the death rate in a
number Of the largest cities of the United
States. One Of the most remarkable items Of
this bulletin is the fact that the two cities
which respectively have the largest and
smallest death rates in this country are both
to be found in the South-namely, Charleston
and Pensacola-the death rate Of one being
924. and of the other 1906 the latter figure
being also the death rate of San Diego, Cali
fornia.
New Orleans follows Charleston witha death
rate of 292, and Richmond, New Orleans.
with death rate Of 2s.3. Baltimore shows
death rate of 1908, Washington of 1871, Lou
isville Of 21.09. The average death rate Of the
four greatest Northern cities, New York. Phil
delphia Brooklyn, and Boston, is about 20,
while the death rate of the four leading South
ern cities. Richmond, Charleston, New Or
leaus, and Washington, is 2s; a difference of 8
in favor Of the North. The death rate of the
leading Western cities is even smaller than
that Of the leading Northern cities.
The explanation of the more favorable show
ing made by tho Northern and Western cities,
as compared with Southern cities is to be
found in the high rate of mortality which
prevails among the negro residents of our
southern towns, there being in every one Of
these towns, with hardly a single exception. a
very notable disproportion between the death
rates for the black and white populations re-
spectively. This disproportion. as is well
known, is due 10 indifference ON the part Of
the negroes to the laws of health, and TO the
thriftless disposition which distinguishes
them as a general rule.
The fact that the death rate in our South
ern cities is very much raised by the excessive
mortality among the negroes is not taken into
consideration rs carefully as it should be
beyond the borders Of the South II the white
population of the cities in the Southern States
were alone regarded, it would be seen that the
rate Of their mortality is lower than in the
majority Of the great Northern cities.
1t is a cause for congratulation that sanitary
measures are being more strictly enforced in
the towns Of every section of the Union. I'm
proved methods Of cleaning the streets and
disposing of every form of disease generating
refuse are being rapidly adopted: more careful
systems of house construction and inspection
are being followed. The laws of health. as
applicable to great aggregations of individ-
uals, have become science which is engaging
the thoughtful study OF ingenious and &C
complished specialists.
In the course of time there will be a steady
decline in the death rate of towns until it will
reach the lowest point that is consistent with
primal law of existence. The present death
rates of our cities. which. in comparison
with the death rate in the unenlightened
past seem small and therefore satisfao
tory. will at no very distant day
appear phenomenally large. The average
term Of life has already been extended
very appreciably. 1t will be still further ex
tended, and our towns will furnish the very
best examples Of the benefcent influences
which have led 10 this extension They will
become seats OF health, where human exist
ence will be most carefully and successfully
protected against the assaults of Death, the
arch enemy of mankind and the world.