Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-15
Monday, March IS, 1909.
A Higher Death Rate.

country's death rate is increasing-at
least, it was higher in 1907 than in
1906 in the so-callcd registration area
which includes Is states and various
cities in other states. The census
bureau. which used to confine itself to
"a working spell once in 10 years, is
now a continuous institution and it
has just given out a bulletin showing
the mortality statistics for 1907 with
comparative data for the four years
before that. The statistics given IN
the report do not cover the entire
country, but only that portion of the
United States known as the "reglstra-
ton area" This area includes the
states in which the laws requiring the
registration Of deaths have been ac-
cepted as giving practically complete
mortality returns, and those cities in
non registration states in which salts
factory returns are required by the
local authorities. The registration
area in 1907 included fifteen states, the
District of Columbia and seventy-six
other cities The fifteen registration
states were California. Colorado Con-
necticut, Indiana, Maine. Maryland
Massachusetts. Michigan, New Hamp-
shire. New Jersey, New York, Pennsyi-
vania, Rhode Island South Dakota and
Vermont.
The aggregate population OF the
registration area for the calendar year
1907 is estimated at 4l,75S03I. or ass
per cent of the total population OF con-
tinental United States for that year.
The statistics for 1908 will cover two
now registration states, Washington
and Wisconsin. and as Il result of TINS
addition the registration area Will, &C
cording to the estimates, include FOR
the first time a majority, or SIG per
cent. of the total populations IL Is
rather remarkable that so large pro-
norton of the states should show Su"n
indifference to the gathering and pro-
per compilation Of vital statistics
within their borders
The total number of deaths reported
for the registration area in 1907 was
Gs7.O3t, corresponding to a death rate
of 165 per 1000 of estimated popu'a-
ton. California had the highest death
rate. 1856 per 1000; Rhode Island came
next with Is. and Colorado was third
with 17.6 New Hampshire and Con-
necticut were alike. with Ill wh'le
Massachusetts and New York were
little higher. with 11o Ten of the
fifteen. registration states mad higher
rates for 1907 than for 1906, Whilr
three. including New Hampshire. had
hover rates. and in two the rate r.
manned unchanged. AS cause OF
death. pneumonia, including broncho-
pneumonia. led all other diseases, with
1852. in each 100000, and tuberculosis
of the lungs came next with 1888. In
the ease of every registration state the
death rates were larger in the cities
than in the rural districts.
Since the Southern states are not
included in the registration area. tn"
statistics concerning the mortality ri
the rolorcd race arc meager. In those
registration cities in which at least
onc-tcnth of the population was col
orcd. the death rate per 1000 inhabl-
t,uts was - in the case of the col
urcd ana ISL in the case of the whites
The total number of deaths from all
forms of violence in the registration
area during the year 1907 was 32,oiS'
an increase of 1896 over the humeer
for the previous year. The death rate
rose from 1903 per 100000 of popula-
ton for 1906 to 125.S for 1907. ot tnc
deaths from violence. 1904 were ac-
cidental. Gas were suicides. and 2'o'
were homicidcs Deaths from railroad
accidents and injuries numbered 1910
and deaths from automobile accidents
o94 The death rate from suicide rose
from 14.3 per 100000 of population III
I oo6 to 16o in 1907. 1t is added. how
over. that this apparent increase may
he due in part to more accurate e
turns in the latter year.