How to examine for life insurance

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 Excerpt: ... a satisfactorily complete record of the family history cannot be obtained. Reference to the medical attendant is always desirable when any point, connected with the past history of the applicant or that of his family, has not been explained by the personal examination to the complete satisfaction of the Examiner. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF VIRGINIA. SUGGESTIONS TO MEDICAL EXAMINERS OF THE COMPANY. Medical Examiners of this Company are respectfully and earnestly requested to be careful in the examination of every applicant presented; as only persons whose condition promises the fulfillment of the table of expectation are desired as risks. The history of the family of the applicant, his own past history and present condition of health are all to be considered before recommending him as a fit subject for insurance. As regards family history, it is a well established fact that long-lived parents produce long-lived offspring. "Longevity is one of the most persistent of inheritable characteristics." It is equally as well known, that certain diseases are transmitted from parents to children. Hence the known fact of the existence of such diseases in the ancestry of an applicant should be well and carefully considered, before advising the Company to accept him for insurance. The past history of the applicant's health is also to be considered. If he has suffered from chronic cough, chronic inflammation of throat, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhage from the lungs, neuralgia, rheumatism, gout, tumors, fistula, hernia, frequent attacks of kidney or bladder diseases, stricture, chronic inflammation of stomach or bowels, secondary syphilis, scrofula, etc., their effect in the impairment of health should be considered most carefully, as few who have suffered from suc...