The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-28
CURIOUS PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS.
Increase of the Male Babies-Gettinx
Ready for the Next War.

Especial to the Minneapolis TribuneD
NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-Physicians and
scientists are puzzled over a curious prob
lem involving the relative birth rates of
male and female children. They want to
know why the records of the bureau Of
vital statistics for the various boroughs of
New York, since Nov. l, show such a.
startling increase in the ratio of boys to
that of girls.
They say that figures do not lie, and that
there must be some scientific explanation
OF the facts shown by the statistics and
the novel theory Is advanced that the mar
tial spirit and patriotism Of the American
people are responsible for the phenomena
Those who advance this theory assert
that not only in this city and state but
all over the country, statistics show that
Of children conceived and born since the
destruction of the battleship Maine in Ha-
Vana harbor, on Feb. Is last. So per cent
have been boys and Al per cent girls
whereas the normal ratio is 81 per cent boys
and 40 per cent girls.
In other words they say that for every
100 girls born since Nov. l there have been
born liz boys, where under normal condi-
tions the ratio should be fraction over 1O3
boys to every 100 girls.
DR.. Tracy, keeper Of the records Of the
bureau Of vital statistics for this city, was
asked today if the actual figures bore out
these statements.
Il hardly believe that is so' said Dr.
Tracy, after hearing the proposition "But
we will soon find out. The normal ratio
as shown by our figures, in this city, is
about 104 boys to every 100 girls and If the
statistics for November and December show
the Increase you say, it will certainty be
abnormal and astounding
DIR. Tracy then took up the figures to see
if they bore out the theory, and he found
that in January, February and March the
ratio was LOG boys to 100 girls: in April
May and June, 103 boys to 100 girls; in July
August and September. 1O2 boys to 100 girls
This was like the normal ratio. Then he
took up November. and striking a ratio
found it to be 1903 boys to 100 girls For De-
cember the ratio ITO boys to 100 girls
These statistics are certainly surprising"
continued DR.. Tracy, "although 1 am not
ready to concede that the martial spirit or
patriotic emotions of the parents has had
anything to do with the increase in the
birth rate of boys
another curious facts, however bearing
to some extent on the question: is that a
big proportion Of the children born during
the war have been named after famous
generals, war heroes and public men, Our
records show a whole lot of George Dewey
Smiths, Theodore Roosevelt's name has
been used more frequently. I think tn IN
any other, but Admirals Schey and Samp-
son. and Generals Miles. Merritt Shafter,
Lee and'Wheeler are also great favorites.
1.-THE martial spirit theory is surely
worth watching, at any rate. and I shall
certainly keep my eyes on the records for
the next few MONTHS
In the old time it was claimed that be-
fore great war God sent more boy ba-
bies into the world than usual, so as to
provide for the killing off of the fighters.
Is this the case now? Is Armageddon
to be fought during the next 80 years?
Who knows? I. d.