The population of the United States of America is approaching 100,000,000. In 1910 those over 70 years numbered 2,270,021. There were about 2,500,000 births and about 1,350,000 deaths.

Causes Of Death U.S.A. - 1912

Accidents . . . 182,000

Tuberculosis . . 154,000 Heart diseases . . 150,000

Nervous diseases . . . 138,000

Pneumonia . . . . . 132,000

Intestinal diseases . . 123,000

Numbers are approximate. (Hoffman's "Chances of Death and Ministry of Health")

Of those that died in 1912 about 18% (or 236,500) were under one year; 25% (or 329,400) were under 5 years. Only about one half of the deaths (57%) were therefore of those over 5 years. Yet it is in the combat of infectious diseases, which are the chief health dangers of the young, that science has made its greatest medical achievement. As science has succeeded in this it has increased the probable length of life for the young.

Expectation Of Life New York Life-Table

1879-1881

Age Range

1909-1911

Gain

Loss

41 yrs.

To 5 yrs.

52 yrs.

11 yrs.

32.6 "

25 - 30 yrs.

34.3 "

1.7 "

23.9 "

40 - 45 yrs.

23.4 "

6 mos.

After 40 yrs. Constant loss

At 85 yrs.

3 1/4 yrs.

Before 40 yrs. (women)

Life-Expectancy 29 yrs.

This is a gain from 1881 - 1911 and more than for men

" " (men)

" 25 yrs.

After 40 yrs. (women)

" 18 yrs.

This is a loss from 1881 - 1911 and more than for men

" " (men)

" 15 yrs.

Death after 50 years is due mainly to degenerative diseases, especially of heart and kidneys. Science ascribes this to strenuous life, lack of exercise in the open air, excess of nitrogenous food and spiritous liquids.