How Doctors Die

During 1923 the deaths of 2,750 physicians were recorded in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Although the sources of its statistics make it seem likely that the figures are accurate, the Journal adds 2% for delayed reports and possible omissions, making the total reported num-ber 2,621. Forty physicians died under 30 years of age; 703 between 61 and 70; 513 between 71 and 80; 218 between 80 and 90; 33 between 91 and 100 and one lived to be 102. The greatest number of deaths for a given age occurred at 68 years, 79 being noted.

In the causes of death, the medical profession followed the general trend for the rest of the population. Of the 2,534 cases in which causes were definitely known, deaths were from:

Diseases of the heart and circulatory

system 559

Cancer and sarcoma 160

Tuberculosis 72

Diabetes 38

Infections of the blood 37

Anemia 22

Typhoid 5

Cerebral hemorrhage or apoplexy 260

Pneumonia 161

Other conditions affecting the lungs 144

Appendicitis 30

Gallstones 18

Senility or gradual wearing out of the

body 422

Complications following surgical operation 119

Automobile accidents 59

Automobile accident at railway grade

crossing 20

Suicide 63

Firearms 24

Poison 15

Asphyxiation 5

Cutting instruments 4

Jumping from high places 4

Drowning 3

Miscellaneous methods .... 8