The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-11-03
AMERICAN RACE
WASTE TERRIBLE
CENSUS MORTALITY BULLETIN
NO. 1Oi, ESTIMATES DEATHS.
Extreme Among Those Under One
Year OF Age.
SANITATION is RESPONSIBLE

Press American race waste-more
serious than race suicides pointed
out in census mortality bulletin, No.
1O4, in which 1t is estimated that an
nually in the United States from
100 900 to 1000 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, in the opinion of
| DR.. Cressey L. Wilbur, chief Stats
ticlan for vital statistisc of the CEN
sus bureau, who prepared the bulle-
tin, on the basis of present-day knowl
edge of sanitary measures. For the
accomplishment of effective proven
tive work in this direction, DR.. Will
bur holds that the prompt registra-
ton of all births and the more care
full and precise statement of causes
of death by physicians are essential.
In analyzing and comparing the
totals of death returns received for
the year 1903 by the bureau, those
for 1900 show q somewhat increased
per cent of deaths of infants under
one year, although the ratios for each
of the individual years from one to
four are identical for 1907 and 1908.
| or the total number Of deaths,
l691,57i in 1908, it is stated that
nearly one-flfth were of infants UNI
lder one year of age and over one
fourth of children less than five years
of age.
The brute force OF the figures rep
Presenting the actual deaths Is more
Impressive, however, than any ratios
or than the rates of infant mortali-
ty, even if the latter could be COM
puted in the absence of proper regis
tration of births.
Statistics show that more than one
eighth of a million babies. under one
year of age and fully 200, 900 chill
dren, under five years of age. died
among about one-half of the total
population of the United States in
1908. 1t is considered probable that
fully 200 900 more died in those
cities and states not included in the
census bureau death-registration
area.
In this connection, DR.. Wilbur
quoted Professor Irving Fishers con-
lclusion that of all the diseases of in
fancy, having the median age one
year, AZ per cent may be prevented;
and that of the diseases of childhood
having median age two to eight
years, ca per cent may be prevented.
The general death rate of a coun-
TRY is largely dependent upon its in
FAINT 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
lease upon infancy and childhood Is
most important, and 1t is imperative
lily necessary that there should be
more effective registration of births
Throughout the United States for this
purpose.
The extremely important rate
known as Infant mortality" is the
lldllo Vi utdluS VI lHldutS uHutT one
lyear of age, not to population but to
1.-THE member of children born alive
during the year. This most impor-
tant ratio should be readily avail
liable for the comparative study OF
deaths of infants in all of our states
land cities, but, unfortunately, the
registration of births Is worthless,
land ratios calculated upon the re-
turns would be deceptive and unre-
liable.
''In the light of figures" the bu,-
letin says, 1T would seem that prac-
tical sanitation has only made a be-
ginning in the work of preventing
the occurrence of infant and child
mortality.
at is time that greater attention
be given to the subject in the United
States. The promp registration of all
births and the more careful and pre-
else statement of causes of death
physicians are essential. Such terms
as commissions 'marasmus,' 'debili-
ty.' and the like should no longer be
tolerated when the true cause OF
death can be determined"