Facts as to Long Life.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 549, 6 July 1889, Page 4

Facts as to Long Life.

A Boston paper sent out blank forms to the men and women of eighty years and more throughout the State of Massachusetts, inquiring as to habits, state of eyes, teeth, hearing, and the like. Over 3500 replies were received. With regard to the life occupation of these people, out of 1000 men 416 were farmers, 92 carpenters, 70 merchants, 61 mariners, 4<> labourers, 42 shoemakers, 41 manufacturers, 23 clergymen, 23 masons, 16 blacksmiths,' 16 bankers, 12 each ironworkers, mill hands, physicians, and lawyers. Eight hundred out of 1200 women have been farmers' wives, and all but 50 of the remainder have been housewives. Tea and coffee drinking was indulged in by two-thirds of the 3500, and of the men nearly all both smoked and chewed tobacco, the amount daily consumed by some having been enormous. They ate meat except in a few cases ad, lib, and nearly all have been in the habit of taking spirits on occasion. They led active lives, eating three meals a day, consisting of meat, vegetables, and pie, and very heartily.. 'So greatly do blue and grey eyes prevail, that other' shades are notable exceptions. BaJdness is rare, the hair being usually brown and thick, and the teeth are poor and entirely gone. Summing up the report, the compiler states that all were regular in their habits, with plenty to occupy their minds, and getting plenty of fresh