It will surprise men of sober thought and understanding to learn that out of a male population of 38,800,000 in the United States in 1900, only 176,571 were eighty years old or over. These figures possess a peculiar significance. The fact that only one man in 220 becomes an octogenarian, is a strange commentary on our mode of life. By the same census it is also shown that only one man in 30,000 lives to be one hundred years old. Anyone can see that the proportion of octogenarians to the total population is remarkably small. Scientists are telling us that the age of threescore years and ten, or even four-score years, should be the rule, not the exception.

The census of 1900 brought to light some valuable facts relating to the average age of our population. The average age at death of native whites of native parents, was thirty-six years; while that of foreign whites was a little over fifty-five. The average age of the population in 1900 was twenty-four among the native-born, and fifty among the foreign-born - a fact to which our native-born citizens can hardly point with pride.

There was a decrease of death rate in 1900 over 1890, among those of sixty years or under, but unfortunately an increase in the rate at each age above sixty years.

The special charge against a large majority of American people is that they not only bolt their food, but, as a rule, eat at the same meal too great a variety of foods which are incompatible. Practical people who have given dietetics a careful study will be inclined to admit that there is quite sufficient ground for the charge. While the desire to live long is as powerful an instinct in Americans as in any civilized nationality, we are far from living up to our duty regarding the observance of some of the rules which greatly assist in prolonging human life.

But if one reads Sir Henry Thompson's book on Food and Feeding - a London publication - he will get the impression that Americans are not sinners above all others of the English-speaking tongue in respect to "mis-feeding." And the fact is significant that Dr. John M. French recently contributed an article to The Medical Examiner in which he says that there are ten times as large a proportion of centenarians in the United States as in England.

Notwithstanding the rush and hurry of American life, an encouraging fact remains, that the interest in attaining a useful longevity is wider spread than ever before. In very recent years the question has received the attention of the ablest specialists in the land, and by their contributions to the leading periodicals, in which they give the results of close study and thorough experiments, they have rendered a valuable service to the reading public.

John Madison Taylor, M.D., of Philadelphia who, for sixteen years was assistant to the distinguished Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell, has written three valuable articles on "The Conservation of Energy in those of Advancing Years." Limited space prevents me from quoting from Dr. Taylor as freely as I should like; but I am glad to believe that the extracts I am able to give will serve a good purpose. Those who desire to obtain a fuller and a more satisfactory under standing of the doctor's views and suggestions respecting the question of longevity, can find the articles in the 64th volume of The Popular Science Monthly (1904). He suggests in a practical way how anyone may earn, what he terms a postponement of the "evil day," which is not always ill-health, but many times an incapacity to enjoy life as old age comes on. The doctor says:

"The study of the conditions and changes in the tissues of human beings as they pass beyond middle age, would seem at first sight to be of widespread interest. Upon the simplest presentation of the matter it will be universally admitted to be of the greatest importance." He then says that the first principle of economics is not so much what we win in any line of industry, but what we save. In making an application of this principle to the art of living, he suggests that perhaps the most important quality, mental or physical, which conditions the attainment of enjoyment of advancing years, "is a serene mental view; a capacity for deliberate enjoyment of whatever betides. In short, a cheerful temperament is as good as an insurance policy; indeed far better." But the doctor adds: "Much might be said along this line of prevention of death by prolongation of life, but it has been presented to every one of us many times in endless guises and from divers sources. The difficulties are that we fail to realize the practical applicability of the oft-reiterated truths which become trite and wearisome and yet are of golden quality and unspeakable value.

"Old people are sensitive to cold because their surface resistance is lowered and their heat producing powers are waning. The tendency shown by many to stay indoors and keep themselves over-protected and over-clothed is a grave error. This habit should be overcome gradually but firmly, and they should be in the open air as much as possible, the clothing used being sufficient, but never too much. This is particularly true of underwear, which should be light and porous, preferably linen next to the skin, which can be supplemented by extra woolen underwear placed over this to vary with the conditions of the temperature. Outings are essential to encourage free oxygenation through the lungs and skin. Chill of surface is much more likely to follow exertion where too much or too heavy underwear is used, and the results are far more serious than if there is too little."

There are two other paragraphs which must be quoted from Dr. Taylor because they touch upon vital points relative to the conserving of our energies in old age:

"As the effects of age come on it is the part of wisdom to omit the use of stimulating articles of diet to which we accustomed ourselves in youth and adult life. As the period of old age is reached, by which is meant about seventy, the regimen should be markedly simplified and always taken with the greatest deliberation. A general rule is recognized to obtain in most cases, that the more nearly the diet is reduced to bread and milk and fruits, the longer will the persons live and enjoy good health. It must be borne in mind, however, that exceptions will occur, and where the strength is being rapidly lost from any cause, it is wise to increase the variety until the strength is restored to the normal for the age reached. It is almost a working axiom in the achievement of long life that the less we eat and the less variety of foods are eaten, the better. Exceptions will arise; sometimes follies may be committed by carrying these thoughts too far. But in the main it cannot be gainsaid, and a great many of conspicuous illustrative instances can be pointed out, that as a working equation, the least should be eaten compatible with existence, to secure the greatest amount of continued health.

A choice of vegetables and semi-animal foods are preferable to red meats.

"Temperance in food and drink is an essential condition of the best results. Regularity of conduct is important both in bodily habits and the daily routine of labor and pleasure. Open air is the sine qua non of longevity. It is obvious that the healthier and happier old people, are those who are reasonably active. My experience justifies the conviction that where activities have been encouraged, always with full estimation of the limiting conditions present, improvement results. To utilize the young morning hours is best for all, particularly for the aged. Much sleep is not needed for them, unless they crave for it. Dozing during the day is salutary, but long night sleep is not necessary as a rule."

Dr. Taylor emphasizes the importance of the strengthening of the will in carrying out whatever is useful in promoting health, and in checking the craving for stimulants, anodynes, and other injurious agencies.

An incident apropos of the advantage of elderly people conserving their energies, is recorded in the life of the late Senator Justin S. Morrill of Vermont. The story is told that one day he was accosted by a friend with this question: "How is it, Senator, that you at eighty-eight or eighty-nine, are hale and hearty, while I, at seventy-six, am a cripple, full of rheumatism and all manner of aches and pains and general disabilities?" "Why," said Senator Morrill, "I can't account for it unless it is that I am drawing dividends and you are paying assessments."