The New York herald., 1921-11-13

Organic diseases OF the heart are first
on the list for 1919. In theory most of
the cases are "old age diseases; in
fact, they now invade middle life. The
rate for the United States at large shows
a moderate decrease, but in many of
the large cities there is a marked in
crease in the last forty years. Out of
every 100 deaths flfty-four decedents
lived in cities and forty-six in rural
communities.
Tuberculosis carries off yearly almost
as many as heart troubles, the middle
aged being the chief victims. So far
as city and country are concerned there
is but little difference in the death
rate. tuberculosis is practically the
price we pay for the unsanitary condi-
tions OF modern civilization. 1t is very
rare among nomadic peoples in their own
environment. but they succumb to it
quickly when they are brought in con-
tact with the conditions of modern life.
AZ gratifying feature Of the statistics is
the constantly lowering death rate. Lit
tie by little tuberculosis is being con-
quered. Bright's disease In 1919 held
third place In mortality statistics, ex-
ceeding pneumonia during that year. In
the last fifteen years the death rate
from this disease has steadily increased,
that of 1919 being the solitary excep-
ton. If Bright's is an old age disease
it certainly is invading the years OF
middle life. OF every hundred deaths
flfty-iive are urban dwellers.
Apoplexy is usually classed among
old age ailments, but its ravages are
not confined to the age of 20 years
and over; 1t begins to mako itself a
record at 40. The death rate rose to a
high peak during the world war it was
materially higher IN 1919 than the aver
age in 1910. The simple life has been
commended as the preventive against
apoplexy; but the difference between
the rural and the urban death rate is
In the ratio of SO to AZ.
Diarrhna Is the chief fatal ailment
among young children. 1t was respon-
sble for about one-fourth the deaths
under 2 years of age in 1919. Dur
ing the last fifteen years the death rate
from this cause has been reduced a little
more than one-half. from 96 to A to
the 100000. Contaminated foods are
the chief cause; the education of moth
ers Is the principal remedy.
Cancer is giving medical science
greater concern than any other ailment,
and medical science is still uncertain as
to the ultimate cause or causes. In two
decades the death rate has increased
27.S per cent. 1t is a disease of mod
ern civilization and is almost unknown
among Oriental peoples. There is an
opinion growing into the minds OF many
pathologists that cancer Is a result of
disordered nutrition-that somewhere or
other normal nutrition has slipped cog.
The prevalence OF cancer among white
People In preference to negroes Is
marked, even in States having large
proportionate colored population. In
general the rate is higher in the North
ern than in the Southern States-almost
in proportion to latitude yet there are
notable exceptions. In Montana the rate
is less than one-half that of Maine; that
of South Carolina is less than one-third
that of California. Among cities having
low rate, Birmingham. Ala, pairs with
Detroit. and in cities having high rate
Los Angeles pairs with Boston.
In some States the rate is greater in
urban communities; in others it is greater
in rural districts. 1t is possible that the
disease is a distinction between the over
fed and the underfed. or yet the inn
properly fed; but the proof Is wanting.
There may be relation between cancer
and temperature. or between cancer and