The Times

PROBLEM FOR LOVE.

The Universal Peace Society Man Should Note This.

"Physicians and scientists," says the New York Sun, "are puzzled over a curious problem involving the relative birth rates of male and female children. They want to know why the records of the bureau of vital statistics for the various boroughs of New York since November 1 last show such a startling increase in the ratio of births of boys to that of girls. They say that figures do not lie and that there must be some scientific explanation of the facts shown by statistics, and the novel theory is advanced that the martial spirit and patriotism of the American people are responsible for the phenomenon.

"Those who advance this theory assert that not only in this city and State but all over the country statistics show that of children conceived and born since the destruction of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15 last, 53 per cent have been boys and 47 per cent girls, whereas the normal ratio is 51 per cent boys to 49 per cent girls. In other words, they say that for every 100 girls born since November 1 last there have been born 112 boys, where, under normal conditions, the ratio should be a fraction over 103 boys to every 100 girls.

Dr. Tracy, keeper of the records of the bureau of vital statistics for this city, was asked today if the actual figures bore out these statements.

"I hardly believe that is so," said Dr. Tracy after hearing the proposition, but we will soon find out. The normal ratio as shown by our figures in this city is about 104 boys to every 100 girls, and if the statistics for November and December show the increase you say, it will certainly be abnormal and astonishing."

Dr. Tracy began his computation at the first of the present year, using the figures for Manhattan and the Bronx and striking an average every three months, or quarterly. The results in detail were as follows:

First quarter (Jan., Feb., March.) 106 boys to every 100 girls.
Second quarter (April, May, June.) 103 boys to every 100 girls.
Third quarter (July, Aug., Sept.). 109 boys to every 100 girls.

"A simple process of addition and division showed the average for the whole three quarters of the year to be 103 2-3 boys to every 100 girls.

"That's a little less than the normal ratio," said the doctor, "and it accounts for nearly all the children born in the city in 1898, who must have been conceived before the destruction of the Maine on February 15.

"Dr. Tracy next took up the month of November, with this result by weeks:

Total

"Dr. Tracy struck an average as before. Then he scratched his head and looked puzzled.

" 'Well,' he said, 'these figures certainly show that during November last there were born in Manhattan and the Bronx 108 boys to every 100 girls. Now, we'll take December up to the 15th, which is as far as the record is written up.' This was the result:

Total 1,138

"Again Dr. Tracy figured.

" 'This is better for the theory,' he said. The ratio so far for this month is 110 boys to every 100 girls. The average for November and December is just 109 boys to 100 girls, and there isn't any getting around the fact that the children born during these two months must have been conceived while the war fever was at its height, and most of them after the blowing up of the Maine. It's curious, but before we jump to conclusions, we will find out what the ratio was for the corresponding two months for a year or two back.'

The statistics for the months of November and December, 1896, when there was no war fever, were then figured, and the result was an even bigger boom for the 'martial spirit' theory.

" 'In November, 1896,' said Dr. Tracy when he had finished his computation, there were born more girls than boys. The figures are 2,225 boys and 2,269 girls, or about 102 girls to every 100 boys. December makes a more normal showing, but the ratio for the two months is only 103 boys to every 100 girls.'

The corresponding months of 1897 showed the normal birth rate.

"These statistics are certainly surprising," continued Dr. Tracy, "although I am not ready to concede that the martial spirit or patriotic emotions of the parents has had anything to do with the increase in the birth rate of boys. Another curious fact, however, bearing to some extent on the question is that a big proportion of the children born during the war have been named after famous generals, war heroes and public men. Our records show a whole lot of George Dewey Smiths, John Philip Joneses, etc.

"Theodore Roosevelt's name has been used, I think, more frequently than any other, but Admirals Schley and Sampson and Gens. Miles, Merritt, Shafter, Lee and Wheeler are also great favorites. Of course President McKinley has had hosts of admirers. In some instances this craze in nomenclature was carried to ridiculous extremes. One case came to my attention only last week, when the death of a little girl was reported. She had been named 'McKinleyette.' I know of another poor child who, if she doesn't die, too, must carry through life the name of 'Dewiana.'

"The martial spirit theory is surely worth watching, at any rate, and I shall certainly keep my eyes on the records for the next few months."

The statistics for the boroughs of Brooklyn, Richmond and Queens show at least an equal increase in the birth rate of boys and reports from the interior rural districts of the State, though they are not official or complete, would indicate that the increase in those localities is very much greater than in this city.

One report from Oswego, N. Y., says that of forty-five children born there since November 1 thirty have been boys.

Another report, from Middletown, N. Y., which is the home of the Twenty-fourth Separate Company, N. Y. S. N. G., and late Company I of the First New York Volunteers, just back from Honolulu, gives the information that three children have been born to the wives of as many members of the company since they went to war, and that all of the youngsters are boys.

A trained nurse in Orange, N. J., states that of six cases attended by her professionally within the past two months five of the babies were boys. The one girl was the child of a French woman. Those who advocate the martial spirit theory find additional comfort in the statement of this nurse. They say that the French woman was not affected by patriotic or martial sentiments as were her American sisters.

This principle, they say, holds good throughout, and is the reason why the increase in the birth of boys is greater in the rural districts than in the big cities, where the percentage of foreign population is much greater than in the smaller cities, towns and villages.