[The longevity of a Swiss family during 200 years (author's transl)].

Abstract

The longevity of a Swiss family with 867 descendants during 200 years from 1778-1980 is given in detail. The lifetime of 65 years or more was reached by 178 members, whilst in the years from 0-64 years 125 died and 564 are just today on life. 49% of the family members reached 70 years or more, all these born before 1910, in which period the average life-time at birth was between 49-52 years. The causes of death of the drop-out-cases (died before 65 years) are analyzed, happening mostly by infectious diseases, misfortune or exogenous risk factors. Essential is that no hereditary hypertension, metabolism or biochemical diseases, epilepsy was seen. Of the factors of longevity could be excluded climate of habitation occupation, had social or educational position. The hereditary longevity is broken only for some individuals by exogenous damage and can be seen as a privilege of this large family.