228 PROBLEMS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 



Annual death rates to I ooo persons living in England.^ 



YEARS OF AGE. YEARS OF AGE. 



45-55- 55- 6 5- 



Males. Females. Males. Females. 



1841-50 18-2 16-1 31-8 28-4 



1861-70 19-2 15-6 33-1 27-9 



1881-85 19-3 15-1 347 28-5 



1891-95 19-8 15-3 36-1 29-8 



These figures show the first upward movement in the death- 

 rate. In both sexes it first appears between the ages of forty- 

 five and fifty-five ; but in men it was noticeable at an earlier 

 date, in the decennial period 1861-70 compared with the previous 

 ten years; in women there is no increase till 1891-95 and even 

 then it is far too slight to be conclusive. Between the ages 

 of fifty-five and sixty-five the death-rate is heavier in both sexes 

 than formerly, but not so much heavier by a great deal among 

 women as among men. It must be remembered that these 

 statistics refer to all classes. Insurance societies do not find 

 that the expectation of life after forty-five tends to diminish. 

 In fact the tendency to increased mortality after that age does 

 not extend to what we may call the careful classes. Holders of 

 life annuities live to unconscionable ages. It is possible, too, 

 that though the figures seem to show a definite tendency, it is 

 only a fluctuation. The Reports for 1896, 97, 98 reveal a fall 

 in the death-rates of both sexes at the ages in question. 



So far we have found that the death-rate among the young is 

 much lower than formerly and that in spite of the survival of 

 many weakly children there is greater expectation of life than 

 there was, at any rate till the age of forty-five. Obviously 

 the explanation of the increased longevity must be that the 

 conditions of life are softer, not that men are born stronger. 

 Life is becoming easier, especially for young children, but the 

 tendency is by no means equally active everywhere. The 

 variation in infant mortality in different parts of London is 

 extraordinary. 



1 The figures are printed heavy type when there has been a rise in the death-rate. 



