Statistics of Old Age.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 449, 26 February 1890, Page 6

Statistics of Old Age.

Professor Murray Humphry has just brought together a remarkable book on ‘Old Age.’ It is based upon the results of an inquiry conducted by the Collective Investigation Committee of the British Medical Association. In a portion of it the analyses of the returns respecting 52 centenarians are given; of these 16 were males and 36 females. Eleven of these were single (10 being females), 5 were married, and 36 were widowed. Out of 50 returns 3 only were in affluent circumstances, 28 were comfortable, and 19 poor ; of these 9 were fat (8 being females), 20 were spare, and 18 of average condition. Twenty-five were erect in figure, and 28 weie bent. Out of 35 returns 28 used glasses, 7 did not; but of these 4 were poor, 6 had used glasses for 4050 years, 5 for 30-35, 4 for 10-20, 2 for 4-6 years, 5 for ‘many years,’ 2 for a few years. From among these one had used spectacles for many years, but for the last 12 years had been able to read without them ; another had ‘not used them for twelve years, another ‘ not for many years,’ but one cannot now get them strong enough. Out of 47 returns 40 could attest to a good digestion. Out of 48, 35 had good appetites, 2 bad, and 10 moderate. Of 46, 25 were moderate eaters, 9 small, and 12 large, in rogaid to alcohol, 15 took none, 24 a littlo, 6 were moderates, and one was used to a good deal of beer. Of animal food, 3 took none, 10 moderate, 25 little, 2 very little, and one much. Of aperients, 22 took them rarely, 14 never, and 5 frequently. Out of 39, 26 could say their memory was good, 6 bad, and 7 moderate. Of 45, 7 smoked much (4 being women), 2 little (one a woman), 3 moderately (one a woman). Out of 40, 37 did not take snuff. As to sleep, out of 40, 32 were good sleepers, 5 bad, and 7 moderate. From 35 returns the average time of going to bed was 9 o’clock; but one retires at 12 and one at 11, five at 7; seven are bedridden. The average time of rising was about 8 o’clock; but six rose at 6 o’clock, one at 5, nine at 10, one at 11, and one at 4 p.m. Out of 42 returns, 24 had no teeth, and from 38 returns but four had artificial teeth; yet in men about 80 the average number of teeth is only six, and in women three. In 12 returns the average age when married among the males was 23, and the females 25; the average number of children is, from the returns received, 6-7.