The Washington herald., 1908-06-21
Exeess Amons coIored Race.

The average death rate of the white
people for all of the cities was 1SS9 per
1000 per annum. while for the c0Iored
population the average was 29.04 per 100
per annum. The figures thus show the
death rate among the coIored people 10
have been 53.73 in excess OF that Of the
white people in the District Of Colum-
bia the death rate among the colored
people was 6S5f per cent greater than
that Of the white people during 1906
Where the inquiry is extended 10 the
more important causes Of death, the dis
parity in the death rate is most apparent
where perhaps IL is least expected by
some. A few Of the more important dis
eases for selected localities follow, and
in each case the rates are per 10000 OF
estimated population for 1915.
The mortality from typhoid fever in
Washington was 1913 for the white popu-
lation and SO for the colored. In Louis
Vile KY 634 for the white and $50 for
the colored; in New orleans the rate for
the colored population was slightly lower
than that Of the white and there was but
slight excess in the colored death rate Of
Memphis. but I'm Baltimore, the white
rate was 3l.5 and the ColOred rate 496.
Upon this disease the census report COM
ments as follows
"As a rule the death rate Of the colorcd
population from typhoid fever is higher
than that Of the white population. IN
rural Maryland and in Washington il IS
about double but in the other areas given
the disproportion IS less. and in New Or
leans. Ia, the cOlored race shows an
apparently more favorable death rate
from this disease than the white
The mortality from tuberculosis is ex-
ceedingly high among the negro popuIa-
tion The tuberculosis death rate for
Washington was l5S.s for the white pop
ulation and 1888 for the colo-ed: for New
Orleans the rates were 49, for the whites
and SOS for the colored; for Memphis the
rates were 1916 for the whites and @59.3
for the coI0red. As emphasizing the fact
that the negro population in The rural
districts IS equally subject 20 an excessive
death rate from tuberculosis. the returns
for the rural portion OF Maryland. which.
however are somewhat defective show
that the tuberculosis death rate for the
white population was 1852 against 2S5.S
for the colored.
The mortality from pneumonia IS equal
ly excessive among the cOlored pOpull-
tion. For Washington the white death
rate from pneumonia was 6S1 against
2i21 for the colored: for Louisville IL was
1906 for the whites against 593.2 for the
colored. for New Orleans IL was 10 for
white. against 2245 for the colored. Other
cities show a similar disparity in the COM
parative mortality Of the two races.
IL requires no further evidence TO sus-
tain tAe earlier conclusion that the NOR
tality of the negro is decidedly excessive.
even under the most favorable conditions.
and that Il would not be 10 the interest
Of a life insurance company 10 insure ne
grOes at the same rate as those under
which It insures the white population.
The mortality from malarial fever in
New Orleans was % for the white pOpu-
lation, and 49, for the colored IN Balti-
more. IL for the white and 127 for the
colored; in Memphis. Tenn. 6S.S for the
white. and 1704 for the colored- In COM
menung upon these facts the census re
port points out that:
1T is interesting 10 note that the col
ored population. according to the returns.
seems to be more liable 10 fatal attacks
Of this disease IN Memphis, Tenn, than
the white population, in the proportion
Of over two 20 one. although the death
rates from typhoid fever Of the white
and colored inhabitants Of this city are
about the same.