April 28, 1918 - Health

Headline and part of an article from the April 28 The Philadelphia Inquirer:

 

 

Dr. Wilmer Krusen is Director of the Department of Public Health and Charities and will become a prominent figure in the headlines when the influenza pandemic hits Philadelphia later in the year.

President Taft was noted for his corpulence, tipping the scales during his presidency at over 350 pounds.  But according to the New York Times, he later embarked on a low calorie, low fat diet, avoided snacks, kept a food diary, weighed himself daily, hired a personal trainer and rode a horse for exercise.  His weight was down to 280 pounds by the time of his death in 1930.

The ten most common causes of death in 1917 according to the CDC were diseases of the heart; pneumonia and influenza;  tuberculosis; nephritis; intracranial lesions of vascular origin; cancer and other malignant tumors; accidents excluding motor vehicles; diarrhea, enteritis and ulceration of the intestines; premature birth, and syphilis.

By 2010 leading causes of death were heart disease; malignant neoplasms; chronic low respiratory disease; cerebrovascular; unintentional injuries; Alzheimer's disease; diabetes; nephritis; influenza and pneumonia; and suicide.

Life expectancy at birth in 1900 was 47.3, up to 77.9 in 2007.