New-York tribune., 1874-11-28
THE SUICIDAL WAVE.

ADDRrss OF CLARK BELL BEFORE THE MEDlCo-
| LEGAL sOCIETY-DR. JAMES ]. ODEA on TIE
| CAUSES OF SUICIDE.
At the meeting OF the MedicO-Lcgal Society
| in the hall of the College Of Physicians and Surg ons
last evening two interesting addresses were made The
first the address of Clark Bell, on assuming for the
third term the Presidential chair; the other was the
second OF series papers upon the of suicides
by James j. ODea, NJ. D., Of Clifton, aton Island
large audience assembled, several ladies' being present
short business meeting preceded the other proceed
ings, at which Amos G. HILL. william Hohrook, Ed
ward Patterson and Francis Forbes were elected mem
bers Of the s0ciy. Mr. ClarkS address then followed.
The first part 0: his address devoted TO review
Of progress of ihe Society and its present wants
lie mentioned the continuation OF friendly intercourse
with l.. SlcttG Mcdico-Le -e dc PARIS and gave sum
mary of tie questions uI>cUsscd hy mat body. Speak
ns cf H. reaGo Of scepec to mgca G a {Hqgfc a @ yS
uabo aids ana detecting r0nvcting andpln-
lsng crime, aud the extended oH rtS as cLelaIs OF
such men Prof Doremus, Prof. Chandler, in
our country, and Tardleu, CaSpar, Mavct, and
DevCree abroad, have awakened ana Gnc.uIa&ed IN
YES cations which cannot lL TO be OF lasting ana pti-
m1ncnt value TO mankind. Whcn science docs lnicr,
yenc now in the case, OF detection o poison by chcnIei
tests she is valuable because, ana 0nIy When She Is
certain. Il her voice IS to be listened 10 't ah CON
either demonstrtiye Jr T. is vdlue.css TIE scrce of
tOXicOloFy accurate aud absolute as mIIuemIt t',
| aud hen demonstration com n,', debate cIds, dJHDt
ceases, aud couv c,iou mast olo" sence ie "a, II
she leads al ali uncrIngIr, G1Hs,i"a 1 "I4 Win pre-
cison or she IL sale dlie IA tAe domain o h'dic'l
| Jurisprudence"
|
experts and their tc.tesilmOn} Long dId careful study
and investigation, be sail were necessary fore man
should spcak with precision TO cour OF before
jury Mere opinions Of nan were ninG aaj less
yaiuablc, especially scientific qlcstpns ana pubic
confidence in expert testimony gradually weaken
He mentioned, one OF fhc causes, a." testimony
IN the case Of Gtarsc Francis Tram, wA re contrary
OI IuiOus. from OF appar 'uty Cqll learning, SKIN
aud opportunities. Hcld A. problem FOR the M
Vesti.aon e tHc society H. advanced topic discussed
bV Prof TVndul ia AlS address nlCTt lir B. n tr>o-
Oi Science Whether The mlai oi lhdn, olr rs
iDteectual aud reasoning fa3u ties, are pare or MS
physical being whether the body Is tht mere tehc.
Incut the spirit winch II GWels While life r-ndlus
This nYcstis .uOu he sad, was to bc pursued with
courage. wth patlcHt persistence They mast be
srdtei, and Wnen doubt go IOB-or remains.
lie then gave brief statement OF the objects or The
Society, and concul led by tItn}tng the oJclely for
eeciins Lin President for the third time.
At the conclusion OF tlis ad iress Dr. ODca was IN
troduced. His paper was illustrated by many cases
bearing upon the points advanced Dy hlm.
In Introducing III, subject he laid stress upon the
sut4es uad Increased country - per cent, aud
hence become oIe OF The most important subjects
for discussion 1t Wa, question bpth s.cit ana mri-
cal; social 10 SJms eXtcut governed by 90 dl causes
ana medical far rs II may De proved 10 De the IN
mediate result Of 5p.t.c Tn idea, ,Bd hc. tIt sell
murder crowd Of a corrupt ul-N OF uu .tly
has 10 Oau lDucd The spGtdi cli,eo Ut suede are
hereditary mi lcuce. ciuc4Ou, love truut -. Eiera-
tuic domestic troubles, ntOXlcaiOn in ncitl losses
ana eubaTrd ssIncnts OCcupaUn h9nliduOn. llultdtOn
race nationally, and atmOsp spAcric inldences.