Human Life

[From lecture in Cincinnati by Joseph Rhodes Buchanan (1814-1899), American physician and professor.]

HUMAN LIFE. – It is a common impression that the average duration of human life is lessening, though a moment’s thought of the improved hygiene of the present day, and the increased comfort of the masses, would lead to a different conclusion. The facts support this favorable view. Prof. Buchanan, in a recent lecture in Cincinnati, gave the following figures. His data we have not seen, but we can imagine none that would furnish more than an approximation. In the latter part of the 16th century one half of all who were born died under 5 years of age; the average longevity of the whole population was but 18 years. In the 17th century one half of the population died under 12 years. But in the 60 years of the 18th century one half of the population lived over 27 years. In the latter 40 years one half exceeded 32 years. At the beginning of the present century one half exceeded 40 years, and from 1838 to 1845 one half exceeded 43. The average longevity at these successive periods has been increased from 18 years in the 16th century up to 47.7 by the last reports.