Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-10-25
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
CAUSES OF DEATH.

United States census bureau in which a
comparison is made between the death
rates in this country for 1890 and 1900,
and it may be confidently asserted that
few statistics published by that branch
of the government possess such a graft
flying character. 1t appears that there
was falling off of nearly 10 per cent In
the proportion of deaths to population
during the last decade of the century
Just ended, while the average age at
which Americans now die is put at 3d.
wears, as against 3l.1 in 1890. A gain in
longevity of - per cent is here indicated.
AT first the announcement seems little
incredible. The figures hold good, how
ever, only for cities of eight thousand
inhabitants or more, and hence are in
one sense partial. 1t is doubtful if the
improvement has been so rapid In the
rural regions. Still, If the conditions Of
city life are here accurately represented
there is certainly occasion for profound
congratulation.
Analysis of the bulletin here referred
to shows, moreover, that "the great
white plague" which for so many years
malady, no longer stands at the head of
the list. The death rate from con-
sumption was 245.4 for every 10000 per-
sons in 1890 and only 1905 In 1900. No
disease shows such great falling
off, although diphthera and bronchitis,
cholera infantum and the diarrhGal
disorders of adults, general debility and
typhoid fever, closely approach it. For
most of these changes 1t is easy to find
some explanation in the improved
sanitation of cities and greater palms.
taking with food and water supplies.
But other influences have unquestion-
ably operated in two instances. Con-
sumption is now dealt with more effect
lively than ever before, because the fact
that it is often durable is recognized.
And Behring's antitoxin, which is
scarcely ten years old. perceptibly re-
stricts the ravages of diphtheria.
Unfortunately, however, there are a
few maladies which show an increased
mortality. From pneumonia there were
1919 deaths among every 10000 people
IN 1900 and only 1S6 8 in 1890. The
difference is slight, but it is sufficient to
put this disease slightly ahead of con-
sumption as a destroyer of human life.
Here again it is not hard to find reason
for the change. 1t is scarcely dozen
years since what is now known as in
fluenza invaded this country. The cen
sus bulletin shows that the deaths
directly assigned to it rose from 60 in
1890 to % in 1900. But the effects. did
not stop there. Pneumonia is one of the
most common sequels of the grip, and
often begins Its demands on a patient
vitality when the latter is already pretty
well exhausted Thus the chances of
recovery are materially diminished. But
for this new complication it is possible
that pneumonia, like consumption, diph.
iberia and bronchitis, would show an
apprecable falling off in its havoc.
The other maladies the death rate for
which has grown to notable degree are
cancer, apoplexy and arrangements of
the heart and kidneys. So imperfectly
is the origin Of the first of these ills
understood that it is difficult to con-
lecture why its activity has been en-
larged. But one cannot avoid regarding
the increased proportion of deaths from
the other causes here referred to as in
dications that the high pressure life of
cities is proving more exactng than ever
before. Business and social demands,
excitement Of one form or another, high
living and lack Of exercise work out
their legitimate results in spite of the
best efforts of the doctors. Nor will the
best of general sanitary measures make
any difference with these particular dis
orders. Evidently if any check is to be
put upon mortality from them the people
must apply it themselves York
Tribune.
YALE'S TWO HUNDRED YEARe.
Yale College will celebrate this week
its two hundredth anniversary. 1t will
be memorable rejoicing, shared by 275C
students, by about as many graduates
and by nearly 300 instructors. This is a
remarkable expansion from the faculty
of one member, the Rev. Abraham Pier.
son, in whose house in KenilWorth the
college was installed in l70l, and from
the one student, Jacob Heminway, who
entered in 1902, its lonely first student.
AS In other colonies, the people OF
Connecticut early saw the need of higher
education. Land was set aside in New
Haven for college as early as 1917, anC
in 1866 subscription of $4,000 was taker
up for it. In l7Ol the colony made al
annual grant of $500 and Yale began it,
sessions. Early students were taught il
Kenilworth, Saybrook and Milford unit
JIG, when the college was installed il