New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-21
m evcr.increasing progeny is tribute to his

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prowess.
Physicians have made great progress IN the
treatment Of disease within halfcentury, and
there is every reason to hope that they VIII make
many cOnQuests in the next halfcentury. IN
der their care human life ought 10 be much pro-
lonced II It were not for the fact that the dis
coyeries OF science hardly more than keep pace
with the new agencies Of destruction which come
with the highly developed conditions or society
The problem Of frightening the span or lie
is one Of balance the ratio Of Increase In death
dealing agencies and in preventive and cura-
tive knowledge. Pioneer days were hard on lfe
We think of the fathers as old men when. In
fact. they were mostly young Not only was
medical science in primitive state but condi-
tions OF life. exposure, ill-heated homes, badly
cooked food. excessive physical labor, the wear
and tear of civilized mans fight against Nature
for existence I'm surroundings better fitted Tor
a sayage--all made n more than average consti-
tuition a condition for even moderate span OF
life Those evils have gone but with them has
gone the simplicity which robbed them or hair
their bad effect The modern man lives more
comfortably, but he subjects himself to more
external dangers When he learns to make use
Of all that science teaches while at the same
time he guards himself against the accidents OF
civilization and, above all, keeps himself from
being carried away by its unrest and its luxury
he may hope for Il longer lease or lie. IL was
not the hardships OF the old time, Dut It's SIM
pliclty which made vigorous men, IL VIII not
he the comforts Of the future, but It's tempta-
tions TO unhealthful and unnatural living, that
will most threaten longevity.
The example Of the centenarian IS OF little use
IN reaching n theory Of average long lfe for
those nersons are exceptions. At the same time
their common characteristics may be worth OBJ
serv,no ~ any are TO be found, as Offering some
hint "a to things at least not Incompatible with
long life writer in the current NUMBER OF
"The Strand Magazine tells Of number OF
British centenarians, and points out that an IN
surance investigator some years ago gathered
a list Of no fewer than 223 centenarlans or al
most every social rank and many natlonalities'
but the majority Of them were Britons or nus
SLAMS There are stories OF an Englshman who
lived IN the sixteenth century to be 2o', ana
Russian who died in 1872 when between 200
and 2O5 years old They are hardly to be De-
lieyed. though there are many known cases OF
100 years having been reached. The Strand
writer's sketches tell Of fourteen centenarans
years. The majority OF them were OF humble
origin. Every one Of them married, ana IN
several cases reared large families. and all OF
them led temperate lives. only few even using
liauor in moderation. These conditions lead
easily TO a theory OF long life. The old people
came from good stock not cncrvatcd by high
living They themselves endured hardship on
simple fare. Many OF them were Scotch. ana
subslsted largely on porrIdges. They all had
homes pursued the even tenor OF their ways ana
entered not into the turmoil OF the great world.
The old statesmen OF Europe seem 10 show that
such abstinence IS unnecessary but these same
statesmen also show that simplicity OF life and
food have their value. II America can show no
such record OF old people as Britain. II Is not
unreasonable TO suppose II Is because. notwih-
standing the greater incomes and Injuries OF
the average family. our people are not content
with simple fooj-or II they are. select aud cook
It badly, living. for instance on pork and soggy
bread-and because. either owing 10 climate or
herellty they destroy all chance of being bcnc-
fitted by habits Of placidiiy.