68 



A STUDY IN HEREDITY 



Mortality per cent, of Grocers. 



Excessini87i .061 .275 .098 .186 .514 1.127 .954 



An immensely important fact brought out by 

 this table is the early age at which alcohol begins 

 its ravages. Thus among grocers even boys of 

 fifteen perish. Probably none of the latter die of 

 actual alcoholism, but the alcohol they take renders 

 them less resistant to the various diseases which 

 are the immediate causes of their deaths. 



The following tables compiled by the eminent 

 actuary, Mr F. G. P. Neison (and quoted by Dr 

 Ridge), afford confirmation of the truth that alcohol 

 claims many victims among the comparatively 

 young. The first table distinguishes between the 

 death-rates of abstainers and non-abstainers at 

 various ages ; the second shows the numbers which 

 survive to various ages, and the third gives their 

 average prospective longevity at various ages. 

 Rate of Mortality per Cent, per Annum. 



