COMPARISON OF MALE AND FEMALE SEXES. 



9G7 



Dr. Joseph Clarke, 1 whose inquiries were made on 60 males and 60 females, 

 the average of Male children is 7^ Ibs., and that of Females 6 Ibs. He 

 adds that children which at the full time weigh less than 5 Ibs. rarely thrive; 

 being generally feeble in their actions, and dying within a short time. 

 Several instances are on record, of infants whose weight at birth exceeded 

 15 Ibs. It appears that healthy females, living in the country, and engaged 

 in active but not over-fatiguing occupations, have generally the largest chil- 

 dren ; and this is what might be expected a priori, from the superior energy 

 of their nutritive functions. 



804. There appears to be, from the first, a difference in the Viability (or 

 probability of life) of Male and Female children; for, out of the total num- 

 ber born dead, there are 3 Males to 2 Females: this proportion gradually 

 lessens, however, during early infancy; being about 4 to 3 during the first 



FIG. 365. 



ft- i> JO 15 20 Z6 30 frO 50 60 10 BO 00 V 



Diagram representing the Comparative Viability of the Male and Female at different Ages. 



two mouths, and about 4 to 5 during the next three months; after which 

 time the deaths are nearly in proportion to the numbers of the two sexes re- 

 spectively, until the age of puberty. The viability of the two sexes continues 

 to increase during childhood; and attains its maximum between the 13th and 

 14th years. For a short time after this epoch has been passed, the rate of 

 morta-lity is higher in Females than in Males; but from about the age of 18 

 to 28, the mortality is much greater iu Males, being at its maximum at 25, 

 when the viability is only half what it is at puberty. The fact is a very 

 striking one; and shows most forcibly that the indulgence of the passions 

 not only weakens the health, but in a great number of instances is the cause 

 of a very premature death. From the age of 28 to that of 50, the mortality 



1 Philosophical Transactions, vol. Ixxvi. 



