LAND OF METHUSELAHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

LAND OF METHUSELAHS.

BULGARIA'S 3139 CENTENARIANS.

After an exhaustive investigation of the world's longevity statistics, Dr. Kvril Popov, State Direotor of Statistical Research in Bulgaria, has Hrawn up a report indicating that more Bulgarians live to a great age than any other people in the world. In their small kingdom, of considerably fewer inhabitants than London, there are no fewer than 3139 persons who claim to be centenarians,- and who can produce some evidence to that effect. Freedom from worry and placidity of disposition were found to be the magic talismans that keep them alive so lons.

There are very few physicians in Bulgaria outside the infrequent towns, and strong constitutions, rather than medical aid, conduce to survival to a ripe old age. The doctors sent round by the Government to investigate the circumstances of these venerable persons found that only 14 of them had ever received medical treatment. The great majority of the Bulgarian crntenarian3 were found to be simple rural peasants who had never earned more than the equivalent of a pound or two a week, and more than three-quarters of them cannot read or write, though most of them can play a simple stringed musical instrument. Vegetables, fruit, milk, cheese and bread constitute most of their food and drink. Hardly any tinned or bottled foods are consumed by them. Most of them did not marry until after the age of 30 and have several children.

Turkey's Patriarchs. Tho Bulgarian investigation of centenarians was much more thorough than the sporadic research which has been undertaken along these linos in other Balkan countries. Turkey, however, has lieen found to contain large numbers of centenarians, including that remarkable couple, Zaro Aga, of Constantinople, a niaji of huge stature, who is claimed to be 14;"> and to have outlived nine wives; and Fat in a Hanem, of Angora, who is 100. Fatma, it may he noted, was born in Bulgaria, and lier eldest daughter died at tlic age of 00. A woman named Kukkic, who died in Adana last summer, was declared to be 122. Zaro was born in Kurdista i und became, in ISOB. a noncommissioned oflicer in the bodyguard of the Sultan Selim 111.

Spain, the Bulgarian investigator ascertained, is the Balkans' closest competitor in respect of centenarians, for, according to statistics available a few months ago, there were .'loo, 258 of whom were women. Madrid itself, notoriously dusty in summer and swept by bitterly cold winds in winter, was found to contain, at the time bf the last census, 35 centenarians, 24 of thein being women. Italy's i last census figures showed 146 centenarians, including a woman of 120, living in Ancona, and a man of 119 in a village of Liguria. Rumanian centenarians are very numerous; one of them, Maria Ustav, of Carcalia, in the Dobrudja, who died last winter, was 135 and had never been treated by a doctor. Eighty-two of her descendants attended the funeral.

Mountaineering at 126. Malo Frantsitch, "The AUthuselah of Yugoslavia," who also died last winter, in the Bosnian village of Zubitcli, was 12G. He was a heavy smoker, never refused a drink, married three times, and was a big. strong fellow, known to everyone in Bosnia. He finally overtaxed his strength by a long day's clambering about a mountainside in search of a lost goat. Susan Schoonwyk, a .South African negress, died aged 117 at Bloemfontein last June, and the last Egyptian census showed more than 200 centenarians.

Ireland claims very many centenarians. William Smyth, who died in Dromara last wintei", claimed to be 125, and Mrs. Mary Brickland is said to be 115, and to have worked at the rectory at Geashill 97 years ago. The Hon. Miss Katherine Plunkett, of Ballymacanlon, was 107 last November.

It was stated in Parliament last spring that 4&) centenarians have died in England and Wales during the past five years.