The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-03
INCREASING LENGTH OF LIFE.

INCREASING LENOlh
The bulletin recently issued by the Cen
sus Bureau, in which a comparison is made
in the death rates for 1890 and 1900 in cities
of 5000 inhabitants or more, presents IN
expected but very gratifying facts, namely,
the falling off of nearly 10 per cent. in the
proportion Of deaths to population during
the last decade The average age at which
Americans died in 1890 was 81 years, but
in 1900 the average lifetime was 35.2 years
An increase of the length Of life of Al
years in a decade seems incredible, but the
statistics show it, and statistics which show
such an extension of the average of hui
man life will be believed because others
than those engaged in life insurance will
find in them the greatest satisfaction. AS
before indicated. these statistics relate to
cities of 5000 inhabitants and over, but
what applies to them must in some measure
be true in respect to the rural portions of
the country.
When causes for the average extension
Of life in cities are sought it will not be
difficult to find them. Among the causes
gent systems of drainage and the more
general adoption of sanitary methods.
Dwellings are more carefully constructed,
congested districts in the larger cities are
broken up largely because the trolley car
puts localities miles from business centers
blocks could be before rapid transit was
possible. Boards of health, often regarded
as troublesome nuisances, have enforced
sanitary measures which have promoted
the general health. The discovery of the
germ theory in connection with the spread
ing of contagious diseases and the rene
dies which have been intelligently applied
have had such a tendency to cut down the
death rate that the increased length of life
is not so much a surprise as it seemed when
the announcement of it was first made. On
the contrary, it should have been expected.
The bulletin further shows that consump-
ton, which for years stood at the head of
the list of the causes of death. no longer
occupies the first place as the foe of hu-
man life. The death rate from consump-
ton has fallen from 2454 to every 10000 in
1890 to 1905 in 1900. The full force of such
figures can scarcely be realized. No other
disease which has been recognized as 50
fatal to human life shows such falling off,
yet diphtheria, bronchitis, cholera in
fantum, the diarrhoeal disorders of adults.
general debility and typhoid fever closely
approach 1t. While these gratifying results
have come largely through the agencies
heretofore referred to other influences have
operated in two diseases-consumptio and
diphtheria Consumption is now treated as
a disease which can be cured if taken in
its incpient stages. while to Behring's anti
toxin is attributed the mitigation. of the
ravages of diphtheria.
There are a few diseases which show an
Deaths from pneumonia have increased
from 1863 to each 10000 inhabitants In 1890
to 1919 in 1900. which puts it ahead of con-
sumption as a life destroyer. A dozen
years ago what is known now as grip was
an unknown malady, but the census bulletin
shows that the deaths from that cause
have risen from 60 to each 10000 in 1890 TO
1913 in 1900. Pneumonia has come to be
common sequel of grip. beginning its
demands upon the victims vitality when it
has been greatly exhausted by the new
malady. The other diseases of which the
death rate has increased during the decade
are cancer, apOplexy and arrangement Of
the heart and kidneys. These are evidently
maladies growing out of the changed condi-
tions of living. and are such as cannot be
reached by sanitary measures.
1t is constantly pointed out by those who
indulge fears regarding the future of the
human race that the birth rate is declining
among the most intelligent and thrifty por-
ton of the American people. They have
so little faith in the theory of the survival
of the fittest that their imaginations pic
ture to them the gradual disappearance of
the best native stock and the ultimate pre-
dominance of other human elements. Can
not those who have been led to share the
forebodings of the timid prophet find a
source of consolation in the fact that a
lengthening of life equivalent to 13 per
cent. in the last ten years will counter
balance the decrease in the birth rate?