The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1910-01-19
XXX

fewer years of survival to expect
since their physical vigor and vitality less
able to throw on disease than would have been
the case half century ago.
This seems. on the face of 1t, surprising a
statement that in order to be accepted. 1t should
be backed up by data authentic and indsputable.
Such data are furnished by the figures Of the in
surance companies (Which all agree on the point).
but It is easier to refer to the government CEN
reports. which tell the tale in simple and
convincing fashion. Not only people living
less long than they did half century ago. but
the decrease In longevity is progressive. Even
during the last is years the death rate among all
persons over IS years of age. Of both sexes. has
risen very considerably
In Part Of the third volume Of the United
States census will be found tabulated state
ment which shows in a very striking way the
rise in the death rate for all ages from 60 up.
have brought the figures up to date. with the help
of fresh information from Washington-a matter
of no little importance. inasmuch as the Increase
has been marked. Thus corrected for accuracy.
the reckoning shows that there has been this In
in the death rate for the entire United
States:
For people of ages from go to g.. seven per
cent.
For people of ages from IS to 50. 81 per
cent.
For people of ages from 70 to a. 16h per cent.
For people of ages from rs to 70. seven per
cent.
For people Of ages from so to 81. is per cent
For people of ages from IS to SO. IL per cent
For people Of ages from 80 to ~. 3o1 per
cent.
For people Of s5 and up 20h per cent.
These figures tell the story more clearly than
the most eloquent discourse on the subject. They
show that, notwithstanding improved medical
knowledge and the benefits Of modern sanitation.
ne are diving earlier than our grandparents did.
The reason why offers a topic for considerable
discussion and is not to be summed up In WORD
but one may discover 1t without much difficulty
in the more complex and luxurious life that we
of ur fOrebears compare
lively simple and their constitutions. unweak-
ened by the luxury and intense nervous strain
of an existence like that of to-day. were stronger
than and better able to WITHSTAND tne ap-
proaches of disease.
Plenty of proof of this fact may be found In
the vital statistics of our population. especially
in the cities the figures showing tl.at. while the
death rate from diseases common to children mas
enormously diminished within the last few years.
the mortality from maladies more properly be-
longing later life. such as heart disease. apo
plexy, cancer and ailments Of the liver and kid
neys has risen to an alarming extent Nay.
more II is still going up and seems likely to con-
tinue to increase.
The average baby born to-day has a chance
of reaching hve years of age better by 30 per
cent, than would have been the case mar a CEN
turv ago Its prospect of escaping the diseases
of childhood and growing up is vastly improved
as compared with earlier days.
Now It is very desirable to save the babies
and one of the greatest triumphs Of our newer
,yu,,ation In the successful rearing Of three hui
man infants fo-y every two that survived har
century ago. But 1t is undeniable that the race
a. IA whole suffers by the change. inasmuch as
the veaklipRs instead of being weeded out. are
thus enabled to grow up. These weakiings not
onIv propaRate other weaklings. but, by reason
of their inferior vigor Of constitution commonly
fail TO reach old age. In this fact. doubtless is
found one cause of the rise in the death rate In
later life.
Nothing surely could well be more strange
.h., The snectacle presented to view Of
-..t and increasing acceleration of the sweep
Of the dread scythe among people beyond middle
age. while mutitudes of children are constantly
escaping who must formerly have succumDed. IN
both cases, too. 1t is our advanced ana peiiee s
o,,,,,ation that furnishes the cause rescuing the
young but moving down the old. So far' indeed
does the harm neutralize the good that notwitn-
standing all the achievements OF modern hygiene
and medical discovery. 1t is doubtful "nelher 'ne