The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1917-08-18
MORTALITY. IN WAR
Study of Statistics Of Armies
Fighting in Europe Show Some
Surprising Results

letter for merchants. has some inter-
esting things to say about the statis-
tics of mortality among soldiers. 1t
shows quite a different condition
from that generally believed to exist.
1t tells US. for example. that only 60
men out of thousand are killed and
only $50 wounded. most of the
wounded recovering. This informa-
tion is contained in the letter of July
81. which reads:
Clients whose sons and friends have
been called under the recent draft
should get considerable comfort from
study of the mortality statistics Of
the armies in Europe. Of course. it
is very difficult to secure reliable fig
ures, but we understand that about
60 men per thousand are being killed
and about $50 men out of each thou
sand are wounded. although most of
these wounded return again to the
trenches. This percentage of .cas-
ualties is not high. Of course, it can
not be compared with the normal
death rate in peace times, which is
about eight per thousand for the ages
of the men at the front. The normal
death rate of eight is an annual figure.
while the figure of 60, above given,
applies from the date of enlistment,
which in some cases has been three
years. The great loss of previous
wars has been from disease. This
has been very largely eliminated.
Some claim that man at the front
to-day is less liable to disease than if
at home working in city.
The mortality is very much less to-
day than it was at the beginning of
the war. The gas and other hideous
formsof attack are being well handled
at the present time. Men who are
sensible and careful can well
protect themselves against these
things. Experience, both in the pro-
lection of the soldier and the care of
the wounded, is constantly reducing
the death rate as the war progresses.
With the exception of wounds OBJ
tained during charges, which. of
course. are very dangerous. most
wounds are in the arm or shoulder,
which can be easily healed. or in the
skull. The skull wounds are natural
ly serious. Amputation of limbs is
very much less than in previous wars.
The mortality varies considerably
with the different branches of the
service. A man who is connected
with the heavy field 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 proportionately very
much greater than among the pri-
Yates. 1t is very interesting to see
how much greater the mortality is
among volunteer corps than among
drafted men. If the Roosevelt vol
unteers had gone to the front, the
mortality among such body would
doubtless have been very high.
We believe that the drafted man
who goes as an ordinary soldier, TAX
ing his judgment with him and leav-
ing 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 month
that 1t Is his turn to charge. he is,
subject to great danger. but the rest
of the time. with reasonable precau-
tions, he is, statistically. almost as
well 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 a good chance
that but few of them ever will be
engaged in serious fighting.