Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-20
EXTREME SPAN OF HUMAN LIFE

The census bureau has the figures to show that the extreme span of human life does not exceed 11O years, notwithstanding the fact that Captain Diamond of Oakland, Cal, claims to have an authentic record of being IA years old on May list, 1910.
 Dr. Cressy L. Wilbur's report affirms that it is undoubtedly true that the age of 100 years is occasionally at tained. It suggests that it is perhaps doubtful whether, as shown by incon- trovertiiole evidence. the age of no has even been reached or exceeded. This would, it is stated, set the possible longevity of man or the extreme span of human life somewhere between 100 and 11o years.
 pr. Wilbur declares that 1t would qoe a fact of vast interest to human ity if it were true that human being could live 15o or 40, or 130 years, or even 120, or 110 years, as estab- lished by recent observation. The ca pability of the bodily mechanism would be tested and it might be in- ferred that, with better hygiene. su- perior eugenics and proper methods of living, the extreme limit of life might more frequently be attained, and that after many generations the aver age age of humanity might perhaps approximate this limit.
 The report goes on to show that up to very recent times the most incred- ible reports. the most inaccurate statements, and the most uncritical methods of study, have been believed. Since Thoms' investigations in 1873 great skepticism has arisen in the minds of many in regard to the re- puted ages Of centenarians and, the report declares, some have even stated that there were no actual cases of cen tenarians on record, in spite of the official returns of population and deaths to that effect.
 The government finds that Noah Ra- by, who was known as the oldest man in the country in 1904, at 132, was in reality never a centenarian, but at the time of his death about 93.
 In explanation of this state of things the report says:
 ''It is well known that many of the statements of exact age. even in the middle period of life and in youth, are not strictly correct In old age, with impaired memory, with possibly unin- tentfonal confusion of what has been heard and what has been actually ex- perienced by the individual in regard to the events of early years, after the death of contemporaries whose testi- mony might contradict claims to ex- cSSSifc lOHS6NIIyt dIlQ WILQ the we'll known tendency of many aged persons to exaggerate, in the utmost good faith, the number of years that they have lived, it is not at all surprising that many unfounded claims to ex- treme old age arise. The deaths of centenarians reported by the census are too few to vitiate seriously the statistics, even if in every case the age was incorrectly stated, and they are therefore shown just as they were returned.
 Tn the annual registration reports of Maine and Massachusetts may be found details in regard to the reported centenarians who died in those states Dr. Wilbur states that it is perhaps desira ole that similar details should be given in all registration reports. or at least that the statement Of ages should enable the number of decedents aged 100 years and over to be known. If verified statements of age can be se- cured, the evidence of longevity should be given. Physicians and registration officials. should take pains to ascertain ike truth about such cases. because they are of extreme interest to the public, and many foolish and sensa- rtonal statements pass current. It should be possible, with the general adoption of modern methods in obtain ing vital statistics, to determine, from the vast number of deaths registered. the maximum span of human life"