The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-07-03
STRAWBERRIES AND SUICIDE.
II There Subtle Relation Between Fruit
and Aelancholia?

II There Subtle Relation Between Fru
and Aelancholia9
Washington Post.l
A theory in explanation of tn
suicide epidemic now prevailin,
throughout the country and the gu
icldal wave that sweeps over tn,
country at about this season Will
each recurrent year has been ex
plotted by DR.. William Tindall aue
Mr.. Clifford Howard of the dlstric
commissioners Office. The cause O
all the trouble and woe, they declare
10 the luscious strawberry, that ha.
hitherto been considered one of ma.
lures choicest fruits, and about the
most innocent and healthful food
any one could eat. This conclusion
has been reached after a long and
careful study of the subject by the
gentlemen who, in compiling stats.
tics, are brought face to face eyerv
day With the peculiar facts about
suicide. They are we'll up on the su-
lcldal statistics, and know that the
suicides begin to occur in December
and increase until June, after which
they almost entirely cease until the
next December. The greatest num-
Der Of suicides occur from April to
June, the most beautiful months in
the year.
Strawberries begin to ripen and
appear upon the markets about the
time the epidemic of suicides be-
gins. This was the main point that
influenced the gentlemen to believe
that there was some connection be-
tween suicide and the fruit. Now,
another point that in itselfis almost
conclusive proof that there is a
connection between the two is the
strange effect a bowl of strawberries
has upon the person who eats them.
1t Will be great surprise to many
persons to test this, and if one will |
just recall the last time that he ate
a quantity of strawberries he will |
20 surprised to remember that he |
experienced first feeling of exhil-
Grafton, followed by a depression
that closely bordered on melar-
cholia, and that sometimes the de-
preston came without the feeling
Of exhileration. These are the facts.
and can be 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
'ensltive nature, but, like electric
ty, 1t may be felt by all.
The strawberry has lately been re-
elving the attention of physicians.
CHEMISTS and chemists, and it's
fleet upon the blood is clearly
demonstrated when eaten by per-
ons who are subject to hives or skin
for they will Immediately
freak out and suffer acutely as long
8 they continue to eat the fruit.
he effect is almost instantaneous. ,
nd shows the action of some DOW
rful quantity, probably unknown,
n the composition of the fruit,
'hich is, perhaps, as strong and :
eadly as morphia or cocaine. The /
1vestigation of the fruit has not
cen pursued to any great extent, Q
ut it has satisfied many physicians
nd chemists that it is poisonous :
nd should not be eaten at all. T,
hese opinions have lately found
utilization in many of the medical il
'urnals, and have attracted wide '
bread attention, but have been d
ven little credence by the general y
lblic, who continue to eat them .
Id think them harmless. /,
70 Armios-the Regular and Irregular y
To which would you prefer to belong o.
he regular. undoubtedly. The irregulars s.
e. admittedly, the most numerous, but r.
ey are in very undesirable state of no. -
scipllne. HOstetter's Stomach Bitters