New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-06
SUICIDE AS AN EPIDEMIC.
DIR. wINsLow CONSIDERS 1T A RESULT OF
MENTAL DISEASE.
HE pENoUNcEs THE LAWS MAKING ATTEMPTED
SUICIDE A cRIME-PAssIoNs WHICH DRIVE
PEOPLE TO sELr-MURDER.

PEOPLE TO SELF MURDER
rn. vea,co.reral Congress began its second days
session Yesterday morning In the United states
Courtroom in the Federal Building at lO:So 0 ciocN
According TO the programme, the morning discus
sion was limited to sociology apd criminoiosy'
Mortz Elnger presided
After a few opening remarks by Mr. Elingef
Dr. j. D. Crothers read his paper on Legal he
sponsibiity and Inebriety," which was held over
from the first days session. The next paper was
read by Dr. Forbes Winsow OF London, on sui
eide Considered as a Mental Epidemic.
Dr. Winslow opened his paper with sKetch Oh
mental epidemics OF all sorts recorded In history
As special Instances of epdemics prevalent during
this century he mentions incend.arism. inianucide
kleptomania homicide and suicide An alarming
epidemic OF suicide has taken place during 'ne
present year Dr. Winslow gave three genera rea-
sons for this follows The great puoHci'E
given bv the press IN publishing revolving details
OF crime and trials thus reacting perniciousN III
the minds OF weak-minded persons hsumc'eht
power OF the Legislature In suppresslng such pup
lcty; the liability to act epdemicaly in the same
way as previously mentioned in regard to instances
in past ages
RELATIONS OF MIND AND BODY.
He sad further:
To the medical philosopher nothing can be more
deeply interesting than to trace the reciprocity OF
action existing between different mental cohu',ons
and affections OF particular organs Thus the pas
sion OF fear. when excited. mas sehsiple lhnucnCe
q
Of his organ takes place Independently of any
menta! agitation the passion OF rear IS Pii
gives rise to an attack OF jaundce And in nepatl,
and intestinal disease how irritable the temper Is
respiration; and how often do We see patients In
the last stage Of disease ba very
There is no passion OF the mind which SO readily
cases there is generally shipwreek of all hope
To live is horror: the infurated sufferer ieeis NM
self an ou;casi from God and man; and though
his judgment may still be correct upon other sub
jects, it is completely overpowered upon that OF
at is to withdraw much as possible from the
present state of torture totally regardless OF the
The great increase OF the crime of suicide has
present day TO the political excitement which the
minds of the people have been exposed of late years
dom heard Of The French ana American REVOLT
Surb facts demonstrate 10 us the folly of useessly
exciting the passions OF the people and raising IN
their minds exaggerated expectations from pohticai
Win reference to suicide there is no fact that
has been more clearly established than that of its
hereditary character IL may not appear IN every
generation hoMeyer Inc S a I Of suicide
is founded erroneous data. as the climate OF
Holland is much more gloomy ana YET III thdt
country suicide is by no means common.
THE LAW AGAINST ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
To punish suicide as crime IS TO commit
soecsm in legislation The unfortunate individual
by the very act of suicide places himself beyond
the vengeance OF the law. He has anticipated us
Operation. lie has rendered hllnstt aieildOe W 'o
highest tribunal. viz. that of his Creator Inc
evidence which is generally submitted TO a Cor
oner's fury is of necessity Imperfect, ana although
the suicide may all appearances be IN possession
of his right reason and have cAhbted az the no
ment of killing himself the greatest coohess, cam, M
ness and self possession this would not lustIy tne
Coroner the jury in concndnS tnsI ue morss1e
ment of mind not present. A man nio Ih
must be IN an imperfect state OF deyeiopmen . Mno
reasons himself into the CONVICTION tnat seH-huiuoi
As under any circumstances JustlnapIe
In the absence of Gustave Boehm, his paper on
"suicide Legislation and the Insanity Plea was
read by Albert Bach Papers were also read by
DR. Daniel r. Brewer, Of Chicago Dr. haTloGh
Ellis OF London England; MorZ Eihngers !. ~! -
HOFFMAN and Or. William Lee Howard OF baiu-
The question of experimental psychology was mex
taken M Judge Palmer OF New Bruns"iGGk, p,S e.
siding Papers were read on 'Ihe, ~! phVVtaO
Power'' by Judge Abram II. DALEY. ana fs!c NJ
i,bVsiologicaI Mechanism" by Mrs Sophia NC
Clellan - ~ooa ON "Shock AMI
Railway Surgery" by Dr. Hubbard W Mttc"f e..
rs the Railway Hospital an Economy pro@sss b
George Chafee; Woman in the Legal ProIessi on
and the Relation to Medical Jqrispru,dSnc re- Wo
Mrs Eliza Common; The Legal kvoi1tl od, Ii VII
man by Dr. Kate L. Hogan ana CreuI hr Mrs
nesses and Circumstantial Evidence d! ME
Sophia Mcclellan ,,,,,rrod until 1880
The meeting was then auJoul"eN ~
o'clock this morning.