The Saint Paul globe., 1899-05-28
LIFE BECOMING LONGER.

The opinion has frequently found expression that
owing to the severe stress and intensity of modern
life and effort become DID, if not prematurely at
least earlier in point of years than fathers did
This view is successfully combatted by scientific in
yesdgaton and research. According to many I'M
questionably competent scientific observers, the
period between youth and middle life is moving for
ward rather than backward, and the period of hu-
man existence correspondngly increased.
While many disposed to believe for instance
that the laeness of modern marriages is due to the
difficulties attending the effort to obtain secure
foohold in life it is claimed that that disposI-
ton is rather the effect of what may be called pro-
longation of youth Instead of being exception
ally precocious, even Americans becoming slower
in progress beyond the period Of adolescence In
1886, for instance the statistics show that the
age OF young ladies on marriage was 219 years,
while in 1897 it had risen to 238 or nearly two
years older. This advance may be shown to be
progressive, and is thought be capable proof
that the change in this respect with reference to the
PAST decade is maintained in something of the same
proportion to previous periods.
All this leads to the conclusion that our period of
potential longevity is extending. The period of
adolescence bears well defined relation to the ex-
tent OF life Those animals whose early maturity is
extended are known to be much long lived than
those who reach maturity earlier This Is unde-
niably the case experience shows with refer
ence TO certain animals, among others Arab horses
Highland and Welsh cattle and sheep. 1t has been
accepted for time past by scientists as having
reference also to the human species
The X-ray comes into play in rather a remark
able way in this line of Investigation It has been
generally regarded that certain functions Of the parts
OF the physical anatomy which essential to entire
physical maturity take place about age OF twenty
five. Recent observations by the X-ray show thar
they do not take place till much later the period Of
complete unifcation extending it is thought in most
cases to as late period thirty-seven years
The period Of both physical and mental deveIoD-
ment alike according to scientific research is more
prolonged with than formerly. And as result
the forcing processes which distinguish our eluc4,
tonal plans regarded as having a most iniurious
effect upon growing manhood and womanhood
The knowledge of the laws Of hygiene which tba
ordinary intelligent person Possesses today are great
er than was possessed 100 years ago by many who
We're permitted to practice medicine Medical dis
coveres have gone with such rapid strides that bv
their application we are able to avoid wholly the
commonest causes Of disease and physical deter1o-
ration that confronted ancestors 1t would he
strange II the race under such improved conditions
did not progress toward higher physical perfection
And with such increased facilities for heaIthfuI Iv
Ing, which have become in some considerable meas
ure embodied in our habits of life seems altogether
reasonable to believe that the average period of hu
man existence should be Iengthening rather than
shortening