Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/112

94] whole, live longer than those in a state of celibacy.—From observations made for the space of 50 years, it is evident, that most persons die in the months of March, August, and September; but the fewest in November, December, and February. In populous cities, however, such as London and Paris, death makes the greatest havoc during the winter.

One half of the human race is doomed to dissolution, before they have completed the 17th year of their age; but, after this critical period, the survivors' chance of life becomes more valuable with every year: hence, for instance, a person thirty years old, according to the preceding calculation, will probably live thirty-two years longer; so that he may attain the age of sixty-two; whereas a youth of fifteen, though he have a chance of living forty-one and a half years longer, will nevertheless arrive only at the 56th or 57th year of his age.

Conformably to the observations of, the most healthy children are born in the months of January, February, and March: indeed, the greatest number of births takes place during the two months last mentioned. The proportion of boys, annually born, is to that of girls as 104 to 100; but, on the other hand, a greater number of the former die during infancy than of the latter; so that, about the age of puberty, both sexes are nearly equal.—Among 65 or 70 infants, there is generally but one instance of twins.—The number of marriages, compared to that of the whole population of a country, is as 175 to 1000. Four children are generally computed to arise from each married couple; but, in towns, only thirty-five children from ten families.—Lastly, it is proved from the records of the most experienced physicians, that, among 100 persons living in cities, throughout the year, only twenty are indisposed, or confined to their beds for one month; or twenty-four for the space of a fortnight.

With a view to prolong human life, Lord recommends the bath, after which unctions of salves and oils are to be applied, in order to exclude the influence of the external air. In his opinion, a cooling diet, opiates, or narcotics, are the best means of preventing the internal consumption of the body, and to renovate it, when such decay has commenced. In certain constitutions, these remedies may possibly be productive of some advantage: but it is an erroneous idea, that they will be universally beneficial: the whole of his project is more specious than practicable; and the basis on which his theory was apparently supported, has no real foundation.

We have already pointed out the most proper treatment of persons in a feeble state, under the article ; and, at the same time, stated the necessary rules and direction for the preservation of health, and consequently the prolongation of life. There is, however, so much justice in the observations of the late illustrious, on this subject, that we are induced to insert the following brief statement.—He remarks, that some of the causes which contribute to protract life, beyond its usual period, are external. Such, for instance, is climate: hence, the more northern latitudes, or about 50 degrees, are the most proper for youth; because, in such a region, the circulation is less rapid, and acute diseases dom