The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-30

would pass an insurance examination.
Cigarettes are apparently not copsid-
cred especially unhealthful unless the
smoke Is inhaled. An applicant for IN
surance must tell whether he has ever
been in the habit of using opium, NOR
phine, choral, cocoa or other so-called
narcotic drug. Habitual users of most
of these drugs need not apply for in
surance, and person VINO has at any
time used opium or kindred narcotics is
more Of an insurance pariah than hard
drinker
After the applicant has answered
these and the other questions on the
long list his physical examination fol-
lows. His weight, height, chest girth
and waist girth are taken, and the con-
dition of his organs is tested in the
various ways used by medical science.
IL any Of the tests show unfavorable
symptoms the applicant is more than
likely to be rejected. Sometimes the
symptoms are attributed to temporary
causes. and another chance Is allowed
him. A small chest manifestly handi-
caps an applicant, and one that is of
less girth than the waist is almost fatal
TO his chances. On the other hand, per-
sons of good physique. who would APP
parently make good record in GYM
nasium, are found wanting because
their organs can not stand the chemical
aid other tests.
The examiner must take especial ac-
count of the applicants manner of liv-.
ing and general surroundings. A night
worker is likely to be Disseminated
against. and so is any one whose occu-
patton seems otherwise unhealthful.
College boys are not as a rule found
among applicants for policies. If they
were football playing would certainly be
put among the prohibited things. The
ratio Of death among policemen has
been found to be so high that the
mutual insurance associations to which
many belong talk of refusing to admit
new applicants who are policemen.
Nearly all insurance policies contain
a clause declaring that payment will be
refused in case Of suicide. This clause
generally proves a dead letter when
suit Is brought. One company refuses
payment If suicide is committed the
first year. whether the insurer be sane
or insane" This caveat is not so likely
to be negatived by lawsuit, as the
plea of insanity. of course, can not be
urged. The same company, however,
issues noncontestable policies, to the
payment Of which suicide is no bar
These policies come high. A recent de-
Tense of company to the suit of a
widow for a policy on her husbands
life was, first, that the man was not
dead, and second, that If dead he COM
mitted suicide.
A person going in for an insurance
examination ought to live more regu-
larry than usual for the time being and
TO diet to some extent in order to APP
pear before the examiner at hts best.
Milk in large quantities is good thing
to take. and the waters of several we'll
known springs are better to drink than
Croton. Nothing stronger than water
or milk should be used as a beverage.
insurance examiners are not always
infallible. Occasionally men are passed
by them who die from natural causes
short time afterward. A recent case
Is on record Of a man whose funeral
was held a week from the day he sue
cessfully passed an insurance examina-
tion- The big dividends paid by the
larger companies prove, however, that
such mistakes are not often made.