The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-19
AlIMAN LONGEVITY

1t is claimed that statistics show
the average period of human life in
the more highly civilized countries to
be on the increase. Owing to modern
modes of living, which in many re-
spects are disadvantageous to health
and prolonged life, it has been sup
posed that the accumulation or heredi-
tary diseases, the overstrained activity
of modern times, the luxurious indul-
gences which have become more and
more common with the increase of
wealth, with all the artihcianty that
pertains to modern life, it has been
supposed that on the average
living faster, but owing to over
strain, luxurious indulgences, and
many a wearing-out process, were cur
failing their lives. But on the other
hand it must be considered that sci
ence has all the while discovered new
methods for arresting and curing dis
ease; and not only this but the
housing and clothing of the multitude
in these times are far more conducive
TO health than in former days. These
operative causes must be set over
against those of a destructive nature.
When the balance is struck it may be
in favor of the fact or theory of an
extended average human life.
In a recent examination Of a treatise
by an English author on Life Insur-
ance, first published in 1857, the writer
was startled by some statements which
appeared authoritative, and yet left an
impression of incredulity on his mind.
The author gives a list of about two
hundred persons, their names, residen-
ces, and the year of the decease of
each. Their nationality was largely
English; but in part American, Hun
garian. Irish, Scotch, Jamaica, Hol-
land, etc. The oldest on the list was
Thomas earn, 2O7 years, an English
man, confirmed by the Parish register.
He also cites from the Petersburg Ga
zette, Russia. the record of one who at
tanned an age between 200 and POS. The
six following records give these ages
1855. $50. $50, IT'S. 172 and 1859. There are
about so names given with ages be-
tween ITO and 1877 About so ages be-
tween 1876 and 1876; So ages between 1875
and 100. AS the list Of the compiler
neared the end, he adds this astound-
ing remark
We had originally intended to in
clude in this list all recorded cases Of
deaths in this country England) at
ages over 1Oo but we find the cases
from 12O down to 100 50 numerous that
We pull up here. for want of space"
The compiler was dealing with a
matter that had it's serious aspects;
but when he mentions pulling up" at
the high figure he left off for the rea-
son assigned, the humorous can hardly
restrain a smile. The Psaimist was
clearly within bounds when he limited
exceptional longevity to four-score
years.
One Of the grave problems Of civili-
cation is TO lengthen mans days on
the earth. Protracted life was es-
teemed a rare boon under the Hebrew
religion; and yet that must have de-
pended upon what was accomplished
in the extended period. The record
states that the days of Methuselah
were nine hundred sixty and nine
years; and he died." which may be
commented upon as very long life.
with very short biography The in
ference cannot be resisted, that when
science is straining its effort to keen
the harp Of thousand strings" vibra-
ting so long as is possible. some agen-
cy should be active in preserving it's
tuneful melody in high service to its
vanishing strain. There is no premi-
um on a worthless life, though it
should last till the millennium
J. ]. P.