Читать книгу Old Age Deferred. The causes of old age and its postponement by hygienic and therapeutic measures онлайн

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In a Finnish village near St. Petersburg there lived an old peasant woman, Maria Willamow. She was born in 1692, and died on September 10, 1807, after having lived 115 years, 9 months, and 4 days; her brother had already died in 1768 at the age of 108. All her relatives and descendants were remarkable for their longevity.

Jean Thuret was a soldier, and in spite of having been wounded in several battles, he lived beyond the age of 104. His mother died when 118 and his uncle at 130. The high old age of many of these patriarchs is proved by legal evidence. Thus, H. Jenkins, from Yorkshire, has appeared before a court of justice as witness in a matter that happened 140 years ago. He was accompanied by two sons, of whom one had reached 100 and the other 102 years. Again, conclusive proof of the inheritance of long life.^[118]

To the history of these patriarchs I can add a few personal observations. My mother’s father lived to the age of 104. He never smoked and could read without spectacles all his life. He had eleven children, of whom one (an aunt of mine) is 95, and I have every reason for believing that she will continue to live yet many years in her present condition. Another daughter is at present 85; a son is 83, and another 78.