The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-22
Studying LdngWitz
By n. ADDINGTox BRrrE

For some. time unknown to the general
public. DR.. Raymond Pearl and other Johns
Hopkins University scientists have been max
ing study of factors contributing to long
life. This study they are basing on evidence
obtained through questionnaires sent to peo-
pie at least ninety-five years old.
Two years ago, as DR.. Pearl now tells in
the Journal of the American Medical Associa-
ton, he asked a newspaper clipping bureau
to clip for him items relating to very aged
persons He thus obtained names and ad-
dresses for the purpose of his study, and to
every person whose name he obtained he for
warded a copy of his QUESTIONABLE, a for
midable document containing blanks for an
swers to a long series of queries.
Of course, not all to whom he forwarded
the QUESTIONABLE took the trouble to fill out
the blanks. But so many did that already
more than three hundred personal histories
are now on file with the scientists making
the longevity research. And, DIR. Pearl an
nounces:
I'm general it may be stated that in every
case in which we have been able to check up
dates and the like from town records, we
have found the statements as given by the
family to be absolutely correct"
Roughly speaking, the blanks on the ques-
tionnaire relate to such matters as the age
at death and cause Of death of the nonoge-
narian's parents and grandparents, his or
her place OF birth, residence and occupation ;
living habits, especially in respect to diet,
work, sleep and the use OF. alcohol or tobacco
racial descent and constitution as indicated
by the height, weight. etc.
Little effort has thus far been made to ana
lyze the returns, it being felt that many more
histories should first be obtained. But, as
indicating points concerning which he hopes
to gain Illuminating knowledge, DIR. Pearl
makes a preliminary report on some findings
from study of the first fifty questionnaires
returned.
For one thing, his report suggests that
confirmation will be obtained of the prevalent
belief that heredity is a most important fac
tor In longevity. For another thing, on the
opposite, it suggests that the equally preva-
lent belief that the use of alcohol or tobacco
is Incompatible with longevity, may not be
confirmed. l quote verbatim:
of twenty-six men who furnished infor-
nation on the point, fourteen (fifty-four
per cent? had used alcohol as beverage
during their lives, and twelve (forty-six per
cent? had been total abstainers. The mean
present age of the users is 97.2 years and of
the non-uSers 97S"
And:
of the nineteen women furnishing infor-
nation on the point, thirteen (sixtV-eight per
cent? were total abstainers, with a mean
present age of 9S8 years. Six (thirty-two per
cent? were moderate users with an average
confirm those for men, with increased pro-
portion of total abstainers which would be
expected among women"
As to the use of tobacco:
"Of twenty-six men, six smoked, five
chewed and two both smoked and chewed
tobacco. The remaining thirteen fifty per
cent? have never used tobacco in any FORM
VI twenty-one women, only one has used to-
bacco, and she has smoked all her life"
OF course, to generalize from only fifty
cases is risky. DR.. Pearl thinks that at
least thousand should be used to give gen
ordinations any warrant. Hence he appeals
to his medical readers to send him more
names and addresses of people njnety-fiye
years old and upward
He would be equally pleased, do not
doubt, to receive such names and addresses
from non-medical readers. They should be
sent to him in care of the school of hygiene
and public health Johns Hopkins University.
Baltimore, Maryland.