Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-06
WILL YOU LIVE TO BE oLD'
Some of the signs OF Longevity
Noted by Savnnts.
(Aledical Recorc


Every one IS interested in the question
~ long life as applied to himself and all
facts bearing on it are noted with ne
coming feelings Of elf-congratulation or
otherwise 1t Is the staying power that
IN in demand backed By an Inherited
and reserved vitality OF resistance against
the usual evils to which all flesh and otheT
perishable things are subject
The law Of heredity. which our lie IN
surance companies understand so We'll
ls at the bottom Of all calculations as 10
whether a particular man or woman is
wound I'D for seventy years or Will run
down at twenty or forty.
Aside from this testimony, there are
certain physical qualities which have
great weight In determining the result
of the struggle against conspiring en-
vironment. An oak has one conhgurauon,
and a cedar, pine, or mullen stalk an
other. IL is the proper recognition OF
such distinctions that aids physicians in
their prognosls, and turns the balance
against apparently desperate chances.
At a recent meeting Of the Academy Of
Science Mr.. f. w. Warner, In speaking
upon the subject of biometry. offered
some very interesting data, which are In
the main true.
Every person." said he. carries about
with him the physical indications or his
longevity. A long lived person may be
distinguished from a short-lived person at
sight In many instances a physician
may look at the hand of a patient and
tell whether he will live or die.
'In the vegetable, as well as in the ami
NAL kingdom. each lie takes its ohaFac-
terlstics from the life from which q
s,f oh 81 or
istics we find the capacity for con-
t!nuing its life for given length OF time
This capacity for living we call the in
herent or potential longevity.
Under favorable conditions and envl-
ronment, the individual should live out
the potential longevity. With unfayor-
able conditions. this longevity may be
greatly decreased, but with favorable
environment the longevity OF the person,
the family, or the race may be IN
creased"
Herein are presented the two leading
considerations, always present and al
WAYS interdependent--the inherited po-
tentiality and the reactionary influences
of environment.
1.-THE primary conditions OF longevity"
he continued. ARE thlt the heart lungs,
and digestive organs, as we'll as the
brain, should be large, II these organs
are large, the trunk will be long. and the
limbs comparativ lively short the person
will appear tall In sitting and short In
standing The hand will have a long and
somewhat heavy palm. and short fingers.
The brain will be deeply seated, as shown
by the orifce OF the ear being low. The
blue hazel or brown hazel eye, as show
ing an intermssion OF temperament, Is
a favorable indication. The nostrils be-
ing large, open, and free. indicate large
lungs. A pinchel and half-closed nostrli
indicates small or ", TX lungs"
These are general points OF distinction
from those OF short-iiyed tendencies, but.
OF course. subject to the usual individual
exceptions. Still. it Is we'll acknowl-
edged that the characteristics noted are
expressions OF inherent Potentially,
which have been proved on the basis Of
abundant statistical evidence
Again. he says. truly;
I'm the case OF persons who have short
lived parentage on one side and long
lived on the other side. the question be
comes more involved. IL is shown in
grating and hybrdizing that nature
makes a supreme effort to pass the Pc
Rod OF the shorter longevity and extend
the life to the greater longevity. Any
one who understands these weak ana
dangerous periods OF life Is forewarned
S& forsarmed. 1t has been observed