The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-01-06
Strange Suicides.

pufer DAYS Oh Ureece anu Rome, SELL
murder was regarded as a crime, and by
way of punishment the body was sub
jected to disgrace. In Greece, for in
stance, the corpse was buried inste I'd of
being burned. In most of the countries
of antiquity, however, suicide was con-
sidered an act of courage, as disem-
boweling is even now in China, and in
some places was even lawful act. In
the island of Coos the magistrates had
the power of determining whether
person had sufficient reasons for killing
himself.
A poison was kept and given to the
applicant who made out his case before
the magistracy. The same custom pre-
vailed among the Massilians, the ancient
inhabitants of Marseilles.
One of the most singular features of
suicide is that it has been known to pre-
vail epidemica!ly. If one person strikes
out some new method of self-destruction,
others are sure to follow. Sir Charles
Bell relates strange incident that oc-
Cured to the surgeon who was Bells
predecessor in the Middlesex, London,
Hospital. The surgeon went into
barber-shop to be shaved, and the con-
versation turned upon man in the hos
pital who had vainly attempted to cut
his throat.
''He could easily have managed it,
said the surgeon, IF he had been ac-
quainted with the situation of the carotid
artery. He did not cut in the right
place. -
The barber quietly inquired as to where
he ought to have cut. The surgeon
thoughtlessly pointed out the exact po-
sition of the large vessels, and where
they could be wounded. -.
After little more conversation the
barber left the room, and not returning,
the surgeon went to look for him. He
found him in the yard with his head
nearly severed from his body,
This was a case of what the doctors
call epidemic or initiative suicide. Some
years ago man hung himself on the
threshold ofone of the doors of the Hotel
des Invalides, Paris. No suicide had
occurred for two years before, but within
fourteen days no less than five invalids
hung themselves on that same cross-bar
Plutarch relates that the women of
Miletus. a city of Iona, were seized with
an epidemic mania for suicide They
were melancholy because of the absence
of their husbands and lovers who were
away in battle. The women hanged
themselves in such numbers that law
was passed "that the body of every
woman who hanged herself should be
dragged naked through the streets by the
same rope with which she committed the
deed" This edict Immediately put an
end to the crime.
Suicide is more common among men
than women Married women and
widows are more prone to self destruc-
ton than the unmarried, while the re-
verse is the case with men, who, if
about to marry or have the care of
family upon them, are not so apt to
commit suicide, while those untram-
meled with ties seem to care less for life.
Men commit suicide by the pistol and
by drowning, women by poison and vol
untary falls-that is, in the great ma
jority of cases.
People in every grade of life have re-
course to suicide as ready escape from
trouble, but the causes which come high
est in the list of reasons for self-destruc-
ton are insanity and chronic diseases.
Among the young disappointment in
love is the predominating cause, and in
France, the land of suicide and romance,
an unfortunate couple usually resolve to
perish together. Some years ago boat
man discovered in the Seine a mass
which the stream appeared to roll along
with difficulty. 1t proved to be two
bodies, that of young girl and young
officer. They had lashed their right feet
and right hands together. A letter writ
ten on parchment declared that they died
together that they might be eternally
united.
A singular suicide was that of young
French lady of rank who killed herself
with her own fowling piece because she
had no children to inherit her large for
tune.
A mere desire to be- talked of some
times leads people to take their own
lives
AS George III. was passing Green
Park, London, a gentleman seeing the
royal carriage approach, stuck paper
addressed to the King on the railing.
When the carriage was Immediately OPP
posite him the man discharged pistol
into his breast and fell dead. The suicide
was a, gentleman who had held a Gov
eminent position but had been sus-
pended.
A Frenchmau who had been Tilted in
formed his servant that he intended to
kill himself, and requested him after his
death to make a candle of his fat and
carry it lighted to his lady-love, so that
she mightsee that as he had burned for
her his fame was now real, for the can
die bywhich she read the note he sent
was composed of his miserable body. He
committedsuicide after writing the letter
In the reign of terror Nine. Augine
sister to a' Mine. de Campan, expected
to die by the tyranny of Robespierre
She declared she would kill herself rath-
er than be guillotined. In vain Nine
de CeApan urged her to wait the order
of arrest. telling her that something
might arise to prevent her fate, even at
the moment of the greatest danger, but
the guards arrived as she was.speaking,
and MmeGAugine tansto the reof of the
house, threw. herself off, and was taken
up dead. AS they were carrying her
corpse to the grave the pallsbearers were
obliged to turn aside to let thecart pass
which conveyed RobeSpierre to the scat
fold.
The nearest approach the writer has
Oy,ar hand Of man ~ lyi,, ~ I,ic