The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1875-11-04
The History OF Suicide.
one OF the Best Of the Medico- Legal
Society'S Papers.


Times' was read by DR.. Miller. After
defining the difference betwoon the
two classes of suicides recognized by
the law, tho author took up tho hiss
tory OF suicide and the law bearing
upon 1T in dfferot ages and different
countries.
The Mosaic law contains no popalty
for feto de Sc. The first suicides mon
toned in tho Old Testament woro
those of Saul and his armor bcaror.-
Samson's death can hardly be called
suicide, Josophus says that in Ju-
dea the body of tho man who had
taken his own life was not buriod till
after sunset. In somo parts OF India
suicide was once considered mcritori-
Gus, but the self immolation of widows
on the funeral pyros of their husbands
ls no longer permitted. In China
suicide is by no means uncommon,
and no disgrace attaches to tho victim
OF his own violence, or to his family.
In Japan suicides arc frequent and
tho taking of ones life is often looked
upon as moritorious. Whom an official
has failed in tho performance of his
duty he has the privilege of perform
ing hari>kari, or disemboweling him-
self, to save him the disgrace of dying
by tho hand Of tho cXocutionor. If
he avails himself of tho privilege his
property is saved from forfeiture and
his family from dishonor. In some
countries tho act of suicide is looked
upon as heroic, and frequently tho
sons Of the self murderer arc rewarded
for the courage Of their father with
important appointments and promo~
tions. Tho Stoics, tho disciples Of
Heno, taught that suicide under cor
tain circumstances was right; that as
man had nothing to fear aftor death,
he was at liberty TO take his own life
whenever it became irksomo to him.
Pythagorans held that no man had
tho right to leave his post without an
order from his commander, but other
philosophers reasoned that as mans
life was his own he could dispose of it
rs he pleased.
Egesius was said to be so eloquont
in praise Of death that hundreds who
heard him made away with thom,
selves, and suicide bocamo epidemic
Ptolemy, alarmed at the spread of the
infatuation, ordered Egcsus away
from Alexandria, and tho people at
onco came to their sonsos.
At ono time in Franco poison was
furnished to all who could give salts
factory proof that it was better for
them to die than to live. A cobblcr
who had determined to kill himself
thought he would do it with eclat; so
having prepared his poison, he began
letter which was to bo read after
his death and to bo talked OF through
out the province. IIo started off with
quotation, and continued. mThus
says Moloire," but fearing that he had
orred IN attributing tho remark to
Mollero, he took down his favorite
author and hogan to read. Aftor an
hours pleasant communion with tho
great writcr he put the poison away
and went to work at his last
The Milosian virgins once became
afflicted with the insane notion that
they should commit suicide, and MANY
of thcm obeyed the impulse. A law
was passed ordaining that the body of
the suicide should be dragged naked
through the streets. Some of the
roman Jurists said that suicide was n
felony unless permitted by the Empoo
ror. Under one Emperor tho soldiers
Woro set TO ditching and making
sewers. Mortified at what they looked
upon as an ignominy, many of them
committed suicide. Under another n
seldier attempting suicide was treated
as desertor Domitian deoroed that
the suicide of an accused person
shouln entail upon him tho dishonor
that would have attached to him had
his crimo been proved.
Among the early Christians there
was on ordnnt lon o.iy,,s to,, -, = - -