Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-12
Average Drift
The Suicide Epidemic.
Figaro.)

We are confronted with serious ques-
tion TO which sufficient attention has rot
been given. 1t is the fearful increase Oh
suicides i'm Paris and i'm ali other capitai
cities. This is a malady OF CIVILIZATION
we might almost say contagious maiauy'
In addition TO physical epldemlcs' there
are also mental epidemics. Bota com
mence in the same way, at trst by $50
lated cases and afterward by immediate
contagion. The epidemic subsidies and
then suddenly bursts out again with ex-
traordinary energy under some influence,
often that OF temperature; for 81 mas
heen noticed that In certain months OF
the summer suicides are most numerous.
They are climatic.
The existence of epidemics OF IDEAS Is
undeniable That has been proved, Tor
example. during the bomb-throwing craze.
IL was a European epidemic when burst
out at the same time ana appeared III
several places. In anarchy there are
also centres Of infection. In France .he
contagion was evident. The cases sue
ceeded each other rapidly Ravachol
was the first victim of the disease, ana
he contaminated all the others-Vaillant,
Henri, &c.
Vitrol throwing was one OF the symp-
toms of a mental epidemic. The oeauti-
full and forsaken Marie Bere was the
Grst 10 bring the thing into iiotoriesy.
After her for long time many women
who believed that they had reason To
COMPLAIN of the conduct Of their lovers
had recourse to vitrol. The craze De-
came contagious, like the cholera or the
plague Now 1t has almost entirely pass
ed away. o.or,
suicile Is the epidemic at the present
time. IL is increasing and making nuine
I'D ha nnlnrenllOflt-
Nv helps to increase the evil. The Jour
| nails are the centres OF IT'S pfopagau'oli.
| They accustom people TO the iaea VI
| voluntary death, almost justify IL ana ex-
| toI n. In the country districts II Is cus-
| tomary to be silent In regard 10 suio'I
| II "a considered culpable deseruoh -
| life. something that il almost snainei.
| In the cemeteries there Is a spec'ai eo'
ner for the suicides. But our new spapV'
| i've nubIicitv TO the suicides, thfo"
'er,ai, amount of sentimentality arouhu
| ,ham and cover their collins win now
| ers. - hroker
| Imagine an unfortunate man. ploA'n
/ down by poverty and mourning. reaaing .
| detailed account Of SUICIDE. ~ pu.'
temptation in his Viewpoints 10 d relese
why did he not think OF that s'n'p ~
| remedy? And another inquire 10 aoaeu y
the statistics or suicides.
We are far from the days wnen ~
rontaine could write the story OF "Dea,i
and the Wood Gatherer," in wnich tn'
former Is dismissed by the latter, VINO. II
a moment OF disbursement, had caiie'
for him. To-day death has no terror
for the broken-heased. They receive hin
gladly. speak to him calmly, make thei
srrangernents with him. and sign, so u
saw together the declaration OF voiuntsr.
lAdenarture upon the white paper whici
the ink puts in mourning. Unlike IN
wood gatherer of La Fontaine, the sui
cides OF the present time are dreadfu'i'
In earnest.
But the gravest symptom OF the maiad'
IA shown in what we call suicide In com
mon. We have all read the horrible &C
count Of the recent suicide Of the lou
Young women in the Faubourg Poisson
Mere. They worked together In the SAM
Mace. and the same box of charcoal as
phyyiated each one In this case. Also
/ the journals were pernicious vehicles. Tn
accounts OF the case were multiplied. to'
could see In the illustrations ceiors'
prints Of the four dead bodies iying sia