The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-11-05
GREAT RACE WASTE
HOW THE LIVES OF INFANTS ARE
SACRIFICED IN AMERICA.
1t Is Pointed Out in a Census Bulletin
That Annually in United States
From 100000 to 100000 Babies
Under Five Years of Age Die From
Preventable Diseases; the Cause
and Remedy.

and Remedy.
Washington, d. c., Nov. American
race waste-more serious than race sui
cide-is pointed out in census mortal
lty bulletin, in which it is estimated
that annually in the United States
from 100000 to 100000 babies under
five years of age die from preventable
causes. This great loss of life among
the little ones at the period when they
are most loving and most lovable could
be prevented, is the opinion of DR..
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 direc-
ton. DIR. Wilbur holds that the prompt
registration of all births and the more
careful and precise statement of causes
of death by physicians are essential.
Brute Force of Figures.
In analyzing and comparing the to-
tails obtained in the compilation of
transcripts of death returns received
for the year 1908 by the census bureau
from the entire death registration area
of the United States, as set forth in
The bulletin, those for age periods show
somewhat increased per cent of
deaths of infants Under one year for
1905. although the ratios for each of
10
are identical for 1907 and 1908. Of
the total number of deaths, 69l ,574
returned for 1908 from the entire re-
gistratiOn area, it is stated in the bull
latin that nearly one-ffth were of in
fants under one year of age and over
one fourth of children of 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 ~ than the
rates of infant mortality, even if the
latter could be computed in the alb
sence of proper registration of births.
Here are the figures:
More than one eighth of million
babies under one year of age and
fully 100000 children, under five years
of age, died among about one-half of
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 death
registration area. In this connection
DR. Wilbur quotes Professor Irving
Fishers conclusions that of all the
diseases of infancy, having the med
ian age one year, AZ per cent may be
prevented; and that of the diseases of
childhood having median age two to
eight years, 81 per cent may be pre-
vented.
Why Infants Should Live.
at does not seem unreasonable" DIR.
Wilbur states, "when we consider the
son why infants, if properly born, and
this means simply the prevention of
ante-natal disease and the improve
ment of the health and conditions of
life of their parents, should die at all
in early infancy or childhood, except
from the comparatively small proper
ton of accidents that are strictly un-
avoidable"
The bulletin continues with state
ment that the general death rate of
country is largely dependent upon its
infant mortality, because the death
rates of infants and young children are
high and they affect relatively num-
erous element of the population. Ex-
act study of the incidence of disease
upon infancy and childhood is most
important, and it is imperatively ne
cessary that there should be more eff
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 num-
Der of children born alive during the
year. This most important ratio should
be readily available for the compare
tive study of deaths of infants in all
of our states and cities, but, the bull
letin states, in the great majority of
them, unfortunately, the registration
of births is worthless, and ratios cal
culated upon the returns would be de-
ceptive and unreliable.
Saving of Human Life.
''The possibility of great saving of
human life during infancy and early
childhood is emphasized by the esti-
mates made by Professor Irving Fisher,
on the basis of Independent medical
opinions, for his report on national Vi
tally to the national conservation
commission, as to the ratio of pre-
Variability tpostponability)', that is,
ratio of spreventable' deaths from
causes named to all deaths from cause
named for certain diseases of early
life.
"Out of every 100 deaths that occur
from each disease in which the medium
age at death is under five years, there
could be prevented the following num-
bers: Premature birth, 40; congeni-
tai debility, 40; venereal diseases, 20;
diarrhoea and enteritis, the most i'm
portant cause of infant mortality, 60;
measles, 40; acute bronchitis, 80; bron-
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