The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-01-27

me average man or woman mas
fewer years of survival TO expect.
since their physical vigor and vitality are less
able TO throw on disease than would have been
the case half a century ago.
This seems, the face Of II, so surprising
statement that. in order 10 be accepted II should
be backed up by data authentic and indisputabe.
Such data furnished by the figures OF the in
surance companies (which all agree on the pont).
but Il is easier to refer to the government CEN
sus reports which tell the tale in simple and
convincing fashion. Not only people living
Less long than they did half a century ago, but
the decrease in longevity is progressive. Even
during the last 10 the death rate among all
persons 55 years of age, Of both sexes. has
risen very considerably.
In Part of the third volume OF the United
States census will be found a tabulated state
nent which shows in a very striking way the
rise in the death rate for all ages from go 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
crease in the death rate for the entire United
States:
"a. For people of ages from so to "a. seven per
cent
For people of ages from S. to SO. Ga per
cent
For people OF ages from 20 to a. l6h per cent.
For people OF ages from rs TO 70. seven per
b. For people of ages from 80 to 81. Is per cent.
For people of ages from IS to So ~ per cent.
For people of ages from 80 to "a. 30A per
cent
For people of 95 and up 2o1s per cent.
These figures tell the story more clearly than
the most eloquent discourse the subject They
show that, notwithstanding improved medical
knowledge and the benefits Of modern sanitation.
dying earlier than grandparents did.
The reason why offers a topic for considerable
discussion and is not to be summed up in a word.
hut one may discover II without much difficulty
IN the more complex and luxurious life that
lsad. The lives OF our forebears were compare
lively simple and their constitutions. unweak-
ened by the luxury and intense nervous strain
az an existence like that of today were stronger
than and better able TO Withstand the APP
breaches OF disease.
Plenty OF proof of this fact may be found in
me vital statistics of our population. especially
I'm the cities, the figures showing that, while the
death rate from diseases common TO children has
enormously diminished. within the last few years
the mortality from maladies more properly be-
longing to later life. such 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 chance
Of reaching five years of age better by so per
cent than would have been the case half a cen
aary ago Its prospect OF escaping the diseases
of childhood and growing up is vastly improved
ss compared with earlier days.
Now, II is very desirable to save the babies
and one OF the greatest triumphs OF our newer
civilization is the successful rearing OF three hui
man infants for every two that survived half
century ago But II is undeniabe that the race
az a whole suffers by the change, inasmuch as
the weaklings. instead of being weeded out, are
thus enabled TO grow up. These weakngs not
only propagate other weaklings. but, by reason
Of their inferior yigor Of constitution. commonly
fail 70 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
stan the spectacle presented 10 our view OF
great and increasing acceleration OF the sweep
NJ the dread scythe among people beyond middle
ass while mutitudes OF children are constantly
escaping who must formerly have suecumbed. ln
both cases too, II is our advanced and perfected
civilization that furnishes the cause rescung the
yoang but moving down the old. SO far. indeed
does the harm peutralize the good that, notwith-
.fsnding ali the achievements of modern hygiene
and medical discovery. IL is doubtfulswhether the