Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-10-29
THE MONTHS OF DEATH.
March and April Are Fixed Tor
Adults, July and August Tor
Children.

"Death months" are March and April
for adults and July and August for
children under five years Of age, ac-
xording to the statistics of the tweIfth
census. The mortality is greatest Tor
both males and females during these
periods, says a Washington report.
The Health months" for both adults
and children are October and NoYem-
Der, when mortality is at minimum.
Vital statistics show in practically
every instance the greatest mortality
among the males, evidence, the sclen-
fists assert, that the males are beeom-
ing weaker physically and more sus-
teptible to disease and death, WINE
the females are growing stronger ana
are constitutionally better equipped
to battle for life.
In the children's class, known tech
nieally as the group under five years
of age" the largest percentage OF
deaths per 100000 Of population was IN
July, when the figures show male 6l5.9,
females SOS, and in August males
5s3.7, females 1925, and was lowest in
October, males 3s0.6, females 1904, and
November, males 334.9, females 1908.
Between and 50 years the rates
for both males and females were high
est in March. males, zoos; females,
ST., and in April, males. 9s.4; females,
$50, and were lowest in June, males,
79.4, females 63.4, and in September,
73.5; females, 61.9.
All the figures show March to be the
most fatal month in the year.
Suicide is most prevalent during
April, May, August and January. The
proportion of suicides has been great
est during the first decade on the Pa
cifie coast, where the deaths were 1916
per 1000 Of population, with the South
Atlantic coast, including New York,
ranking fourth, with a percentage Of |
or. In states where suicides were
recorded by the registration method
the death rate from this cause was the /
highest in Maine, los; New York, 10.6; I
Connecticut, los, and lowest in Mich
igan. New Jersey, and Rhode Island,
with 81 each.
The total number Of deaths reported /
as due TO suicide in the United States /
during the census year was 5,49s, Of 1
which 1913 were males and 1,1s5 were
The proportion of deaths
from this cause in 1000 deaths from all
Known causes was SIS, while in 1890 it
vas but as.
Shooting was by far the most pop
liar method of ending life, with poi
sontng and drowning in the order
named. The percentage Of suicides
vas highest among those whose moth
ars were born in France, with Germany
md Russia-Poland second and third.
The death rate from suicide of those
whose mothers were born in the Unit
ID States was much lower than in
'ther countries.
Suicide is on the increase, especially
among the married males. The death
ate Of married males, from IS 10 "A
Tears Of age, was greater than in the
males. After As years Of
ige the rate was much greater among
he unmarried males. In females, un-
married, between and GA years Of
lge, the rate Of death from suicide
vas greater than those Of married or
widowed.
Males between the ages Of IS and 30 ,
ears were in the majority Of those
Who committed suicide during the CEN
us year Of 1900, while among women
he greatest number who killed them
elves were between 20 and "a years
Id. Suicide is decreasing among the
generation. In cities April
nd May are the months selected by a
-reater percentage of the persons to
al themselves, while in the rural dis
riots May and July are generally
hosen.