Official government data published in 1974 are used to examine mortality among children over one year of age and adults in France during the years 1950-1969.  "On the synchronic level, the analysis shows which causes affect subjects according to age and sex, and indicates in particular the causes of greater than average masculine mortality.  As far as the diachronic level is concerned, the period is dominated by the lengthening of life due to the almost total elimination of death due to infectious diseases, and to the improvement of medical treatment.  It must be pointed out that the raw data were such as to rule out, as far as possible, irregularities due to the age pyramid."  (summary in ENG)