New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-20
MIDSUMMER MADNESS"

Among the most conspicuous and certainly
most startling features OF the news In yester-
DAYS napers were the reports OF suicides, accom-
nlshcd or attempted. in this city and elsewhere
Therc WAS ON Sunday and Monday veritaDie
onidon,ic of sclf.murlcr People OF all ages ana
all conditions of life contributed 10 the ghas'IF
roll Thoy were chiefly those upon whose minus
como scrious trouble had been preying but not
all I'm some cases no possible motive Is us
cor--oble the persons seeking sclf-dcstrucuoh
having ,o all appcaranccs, strong ana happy
,,cs ,o life Yet they sought sudden exit from
the world with all the determination OF the most
forlorn and hopeless wretch
Tina, this outbreak of madness for madness
euicidn surely is-occurrod simultaneously WIN
tho climax ~ a particularly trying not wave
u.o. urobobly more than mere coincidence. IL
hos boon observed before that suicides ana o'her
lees ~ nisdoIrgs are most frequent In sultry
,,oo, thor and the records, We believe, amply
,.o-3fv tho statement On the face OF the case
{, socps strange that II should be so. For de-
sr,,o tho discomfort Of such days rs Sunday
ood Nondov. he il then more tolcrablc 10 many
a., t ,vintcr These men who Killed them
lies because they were out ~ work, for eA'
or,,,lc ,vorc better or In summer. when rev
.,o,hos on1 no fuel were needed. than in sea
80, ,rhc, hl,tcr cold was added 20 their woes.
III. g.. mot = case on the whole list IN which
H.. s,mule bodily discomfort Of hot weather
...,l have been a determining factor Nor Is
ia. .xnlonoilon Ia be found In "overheatei
nl,ol" and consequent hot passions for all the
crimes were committed calmly ana WIN 'Vo'
dclibcration. ,o,,.,
moro nlouslblc theory IS that tho physical
r,,,v,,ion caused by the intense heat is accom-
non,,,l liz 4 corresponding relaxation OF the III
! ,.u,,.,,oi and moral fibre. The mind Is weak
.,o1 ,he will impaired the moral sense duheo'
onl 1tnmcI Then the evil suggestions former
| =. ,..il &, check assert themselves with dcau'!
| =, s,,ch q time the man becomes an
Irresponsible being literally victim OF ni'u
s,,,,,,.cr madness" This theory amply explains
| ,n. tragic occurrences ~ The last Few days VIII"
49,, ..oin,. into the more subtle spcculationS 'ha'
arc nromptcd by the subject. We have not !''
-, al MIR a tithe Of all there IS "a
io,., about the relationship between the gen
-, r.,.,. ~ rho universe and the individual
f,rcos ~ each human life. such r'lauo"sn'i
,.,,,,,,css t. intimate and important. Inc
coc,.t ~ sunlight. and of It's nc'lnlc rays upon
49,. ,.,,.or ,,rdcrs ~ life has been impreSslve!
demonstrated who shall tell how fAr so'',
80. oc,o,,,s cvcn the highest form OF lf" ano
what phenomenal ply steal or pS!c''l'''' '''"'
wrought by changed conditions III us "''o"
The present lesson. nj any rate i n,iI
,,,,o,t Prolonged periods 81 hot ana NUM-"
weather are not only uncomior'aolc "'', INN,
zeal 10 physical welfare. Ihcy uh'n'o''oH "
fcc,-no matter how tile inteHec'u,' an" 'r,n.
nal sides Of mans nature as WEI" "'u ~,
with 50 much greater force IS cinp""''"'' ~,
need II avoiding 50 far rs possible 'Np''" 49,,
excessive heat. and Fl pursuing hap''S u Na
that will. II they do no' altogether coun'''"'' ."
lc,s, not Intensity It's evil Influences