Will Men Live Longer.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue XII, 23 March 1901, Page 543

Will Men Live Longer.

What does the nineteenth eentury teach us in regard to human longevity? This interesting question was discussed at a recent meeting of the Academy of Medicine, in Paris, the object being to ascertain whether men are likely to live longer during the twentieth century than they have lived heretofore. From statistics compiled by Duvillard. it appears that between five and six years have been added to the average nge of man during the last century, beginning in the year 1789 and ending in the year 1890, ami Dr. Vacher agrees with M. Bertillon in fixing the average longevity during the nineteenth century at seventy-three years. As the Bible fixes the natural term of man’s life at seventy years, it will be seen from this that only three years have been gained since the age of Solomon. Some, however, maintain that the Biblical figures refer to the average duration of life, and not to average longevity, which is a very- different thing. A certain fact is that more persons have lived to the age of 73 years during the nineteenth century than during the preceding century. On the other hand, very many families were less fortunate in this respect during the last century than they were during previous centuries. M. Guilbert’s researches showing that in these particular eases some persons during the nineteenth century died when they were 57, and none lived to be more than 70, whereas during the three preceding centuries the average age of members of these families was as high as 74 and 75 years. According to Dr. Vacher. farmers and peasants live longer than other men. and scientists are as likely to live to extreme old age as to die in the prime of life. Bichot, Pascal, and hundred of other learned men, he points out. died very young; but, on the other hand. Fontenelle lived to be 100, Chevreul 103, Humboldt 90, Newton 85, Franklin 84, and Buffon si Members of royal families, it is claimed; have only a slight chance of living to old age. statistics showing, for example, that the average life of a Romanoff is 46 years, and that 73 years is the average limit for a member of the Bouse of Hanover, the oldest representative of which was Queen Victoria. Her longevity was regarded as remarkable by those who have studied this subject. On the whole, scientists and physicians are of the opinion that men are likely to live longer during the present century than they' have lived in the last, but they maintain that or. a complex subject like this no one ear. speak with much authority, and the only guide is the doctrine of prebabilities.