New Low Rate

Statistics of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Manhattan, revealed a new low death rate for the first quarter of 1924 in the U. S. and Canada. In urban industrial populations the rate for the first three months in 1924 was 9.2 per 1,000 aged one year and over, compared with 9.7 per 1,000 for the same period in 1921 (previously the lowest rate). Marked improvement in mortality was found in diphtheria, scarlet fever, influenza, tuberculosis, diabetes, alcoholism. Concerning a 23% drop in the mortality rate from diabetes, a bulletin of the Company said: "Each additional month helps to confirm the impression that the growing use of insulin is an important factor in bringing this about."