Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-08-17
The Chance Of Mortality
Among Drafted Men

That the chances of death or Sc
rious injury among drafted men
who will see service in Europe is
much lower than in any previous
war is the comforting condition by
Roger w. Babson, statisti ian ex-
traordinary, whose reports on bus
mess conditions are an important
modern development of commercial
enterprise. Mr.. Babson under
stands that about sixty men per
thousand of those engaged are kill
ed, and about $50 wound, although
most of the wouned are soon made
ready to return to the trenches.
This is, of course, far above the
normal death rate for men of the
ages drafted, which is about eight
per thousand. Loss from disease,
which has been the cause of the
greatest death rate in former wars,
has been largely eliminated, some
even claiming that the man at the
front is less liable to sickness than
if at home working in city.
The mortality is very much less
today than it was at the beginning
of the war. The gas and other
hideous forms of attack are being
we'll handled at the present time.
Men who are sensible and careful
can we'll protect themselves against
these things. Experience, both in
the protection of the soldier and
the care of the wounded, is con-
stantly reducing the death rate as
the war processes. With the ex-
ception of wounds obtained during
charges, which-of course are very
dangerous, most wounds are in the
arm and shoulder which can be
easily healed, or in the skull The
skull wounds are naturally serious.
Amputation of limbs is very much
less than in previous wars.
The mortality varies consider :
ably with the different branches OF
service. A man who is connected
with the heavy artillery is no more
likely to be killed than if in the
employ of our railroads, but the
fellows engaged in certain other
branches are in much more danger.
1t is also said that the mortality
among certain classes. of officers,
such as lieutenants, sergeants and
corporals, is proportionally very
much greater than among privates.
1t is very interesting to see how
much greater the mortality is
among volunteer corps than among
drafted men. If the Roosevelt
volunteers had gone to the front,
the mortality among such body
would doubtless have been very
high.
The drafted man who goes as an
ordinary soldier, taking his judg-
ment with him and leaving his
enthusiasm at home, is not only
most effective, but is fairly sure to
return in better physical condition
than when he left. Of course, dur
ing the one or more days a month
that it is his turn to charge, he is
subject to great danger, but the
rest of the time, with reasonable
precautions, he is, statisticallY, al
most AS we'll off as in the streets OF
New York. Most of the drafted
men may see France, which, by
the way, will be beneficial to many
of them. Since, however. the
aeroplane appropriation has passed
there is good chance that but few
of them ever will be engaged in
serious fighting.
The war probably will continue
until we have several hundred
thousand troops and 10000 or
more aeroplanes in France. whic h
should be some time next spring or
sumner. BY the time these men
and aeroplanes are over there ready
to do something worth while, Ger
many may have come to her senses
We see no reason for Germany to
stop until we are actuallyin Europe
with self supporting bases, prepared
to strike hard; but we see every
reason why Germany should be
anxious to settle with US at that
time, before we do strike, Our
regular army, and perhaps the
may get into action at any time,
but the chances are four to one
that the men who are now being
drafted will see very little actual
fighting in Europe. Even if they
are required to do hard fighting,
statistics are very much in their
favor, and conditions are improVing
Richmond Virginian