Education: Curds v. Letters

One credo of most Americans is that Bulgarians live to be centenarians because they drink quantities of fermented buttermilk. Many a sallow clerk and skinny stenographer, impressed with the idea, gulps down some form of cultured lactose at lunch. Last week came different news about Bulgar longevity.

One Henry A. Diez, Vienna newspaper correspondent, investigating the cases of ''158 persons who can prove they are more than 100 years old," reported that illiteracy—U. S. bugbear—seemed quite as effective as curds in keeping Bulgars alive.

"Education," wrote Correspondent Diez. "is not a thing that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!