The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-11-03
An Awful Waste
of Lives Among
The Little Ones
IS MORE SERIOUS
THAN RACE
SUICIDE

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. e.
American race waste-more than race
suicide-is pointed out in Census Nor
tality Bulletin No. 104, in which 1t is
estimated that annually in the United
States from 100000 to 100000 babies
under five years of age die from pre-
ventabel causes. This great loss of
life among the little ones at the per
lod when they are most loving and
most lovable could be prevented. is
the opinion Of DIR. Cressy l. Wilbur,
Chief Statistician for Vital Statistics
Of the Census Bureau, who prepared
the bulletin, on the basis of present
day knowledge of sanitary measures.
For the accomplishment of effective
preventive work in this direction, DIR.
Wilbur holds that the prompt registra-
ton of all births and the more care
full and precise statement of causes OF
ieath by physicians are essential. i
In analyzfng and comparing tie to-
!als obtained in the compilation OF
transcripts OF death returns received
or the year 1908 by the Census Bu-
reau from the entire death-registration
lrea OF the United States, as set forth
in the bulletin. those for age periods
show a somewhat decreased per cent
Of deaths of INFANTS under one year
ror 1908, although the ratios for each
Il the individual years from one to
four are identical for 1907 and 1908.
OF the total number OF deaths, 691.5T4
returned for 1908 from the entire reg
lstration area. 1t is stated in the bull
Ietin that nearly one-fifth were of in
lants under one year Of age and over
one-fourth of children less than five
years of age. 1t is declared that the
brute force of the figures representing
the actual deaths Is more impressive.
however, than any ratios or than the
rates of infant mortality, even If the
latter chould be computed in the abb
sence of proper registration of births.
Here are the figures:
More than one-eighth of a million
babies, under one year Of age and
fully 5000 children, under FIVE years
Of age, died among about one-half CT
the total population Of the United
States in the year mentioned. 1t is
considered probable that fully 100000
more died in those cities and States
not included IN the Census Bureau
characterization area, In this con-
nectfon Or. Wilbur quotes Professor
Irving Fishers conclusion that of all
he diseases of infancy. having the
medium age one year, II per cent may
be prevented.
'Tt dose not seem unreasonable"
DR.. Wilbur states, "when we consider
the fact that there is apparently no
reason why Infants, II properly born,
md this means simply the prevention
ante-natal disease and the improve
ment of the health and conditions of
life of their parents, should die at al
IN early infancy or childhood, except
rom the comparatively small proper
ton OF accidents that are strictly un-
avoIdable."
The bulletin continues with a state
ment that the general death rate OF
a country is largely dependent upon
It's infant mortality. because the death
rates of infants and Young children
are high and they affect a relatively
numerous element OF the population.
Exact study of the Incidence of dis.
eases upon infancy and childhood is
important, and 1t is impnratively nee
essary that there should be more ef'
fective registration OF births Through
out the United States for this purpose.
The extremely important rate known
as Infant mortality" Is the ratio OF
deaths of infants under one year OF
age, not to population. but to the
number of children born alive during
the year. This most important ratio
should be readily available for the
study Of deaths Of In
fants in all OF our States and cities,
but. the bulletin states. in the great
majority of them, unfortunately, the
registration OF births Is worthless, and
ratios calculated upon the returns
would be deceptive and unreliable.
'eThe possibility Of great saving Of
human life during infancy and early
childhood is emphasized by the esti;
mates made by Professor Irving Fish
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