The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-30
Strawberries and Suicide.

1T has remained for group of lynx
eyed saVants connected with the gov
ernment service at Washington to de-
tect the source of the annual tendency
toward suicide which is revealed in
this country every spring from April
to June. Readers of the newspapers
do not require to be told that the per-
iod mentioned is period when the
columns devoted to suicides and hom-
cides swell out to striking proportions.
This is true every year, but it has been
especially noticeable this year, when
the epidemic has assumed quite un-
parallel virulence. What, then, is
the fell cause? Let the Washington
Post explain:
Stra Hberries begin to ripen and appear
upon the markets about the time the cp-
demic of suicides begins. This was the
main point that influenced the gentlemen
to believe that there was some connec-
ton between suicide and the fruit Now,
another point that in itself Is almost con-
elusive proof that there is connection
between two is the strange effect bowl
of strawberries has upon the person who
eats them. 1t will be a great surprise to
many persons to test this, and If one will
just recall the last time that he ate
quantity of Strawberries he Will be sur
prised to remember that he experienced
first feeling of eXhiaration. followed by
a depression that closely bordered on mel
ancholia, and that sometimes the depres-
sion came without the feeling OF eNhilara-
tion. These ere the facts, and can lie
tested by any one who has the mind. The
effect upon some persons is not nearly so
great nor acute as upon persons OF a more
sensitive nature, but, like electricity, 1t
may be felt by all The strawberry has
lately been receiving the attention of ply
sicians, scientists and chemists, and its
effect upon the blood is clearly demon-
strated when eaten by persons who are
subject to hives or skin eruptions, tor
they will Immediately break out and suf-
fer acuteiy Gs long as they continue to eat
the fruit The effect is almost instan-
taneous, and shows the action of some
powerful quantity, probably unknown, in
the composition Of the fruit, which Is,
perhaps, as strong and deadly as morphil
or cocaine. The investigation of the fruit
has not been pursued to any great extent,
but it has satisfied many physicians and
chemists that it is poisonous ana should
not be eaten at ali.
It occurs to US that an even greater
source of mischief has been overlooked
III IiliS SAbloIidlipli' We l'lSi W hHC
cucumber. The cucumber appears in
the market at about the same time
that the strawberry does. If you will
take a fresh cucumber and eat it hur-
riedly you can also detect ominous
symptoms. At first they are faint, flut-
tering and far-away; but soon they
gather momentum, and if the collater-
al conditions are favorable, it is not
long until they develop a veritable
mania. That while in this paroXysm
of remorse the cucumber fiend should
be filled with a mad thirst for gore
is most natural. History gives a fam
Gus instance in proof. General Horace
Porter in his Century recollectiOns of
Grant says that on the morning of
the third days battle in the Wilder
ness the Union commander breakfast
ed on sliced cucumbers and coffee.
Everybody knows how much blood was
spilled that day.
No, the strawberry isn't alone to
blame. The cucumber surely is par
ticeps crimins. And so may be the
premature apple, the unripe cherry and
the other stomach green
goods with which the rustic confidence
men bunco the urban public in the
merry days of spring.