Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1900-11-15
CAUSES OF CRIME. !
BY DR.. Carleton Simon.

There can be no possible doubt that
climatic conditions, UGH as heat, hui
nudity and cold, have a direct effect
upon human beings. Upon some the
erect is, of course, different from that
upon others. This is shown by the in
hnence of the full moon upon n
bul1sts, upon the insane and upon wild
animals.
PHYSICAL health and mental changes
are largely reciprocal. AS thoughts,
such as sorrow, anger or passion, pro-
duce distinct changes in the bodily Sc
cret1ons, SO do physical changes dis
t1nctly affect mental activity.
A desire to commit suicide is incipi-
ent and is suddenly brought to a crisis
py not weather or by anything that
lay the last straw upon the cameTs
back Of depression. An examination Of
vital statistics shows that suicides are
upon the increase during hot and hui
MID days. But a short while ago thir-
lynne suicides were reported in less
than ten days, during one of the ex-
cessively hot spells.
1t is the same with those who muir
der. The incipient thought is there,
and some terrestrial or climatic change
brings the thought to a crisis. It is my
Irrn belief that many lives could be
saved yearly If proper attention was
given to physical habits, proper diet
and proper clothing in hot weather.
With a broader study Of this ques-
ton and its demonstration that it is the
effect of direct physical causes, many
men and women would be better able
to control their morbid impulses and
learn that life is sweet even to the bed
ridden invalid.
Oppressive heat at any time has it's
facilitating effect upon the blood pres
sure, bodily temperature and the ner-
vous system. h is more exempliied
when the heat increases daily and
when there is no interval of cool wealth
er. individuals WHO view life placidly
in cool weather become irritable and
fretfu1 under Ion~g-sustained high and
humid temperature. Should this debil-
! itating influence affect the mental and
separate psychological states, as, for
instance, aspiration, ambition or con-
t~entnent, the Individual too often fails
to resist the temptation of taking radi-
cal steps 70 remedy the imaginary evil
Insanity may be caused by pressure
of work, but when to this extra strain
is added excessive heat an increasing
liability is assumed. Insanity, wher
brought about by extra radiation Of
heat, is Indicative CT a tendency il
this direction under normal circuIn.
stances.
Even in cool weather the individual
runs a daily race against death, handi
capDing himself with improper food, in
sufficient rest, and s~eif-imposed work
When a dull, leadcn, breezeless morn
ing aWakens a sleeper from a ftful, ir
ritable sleep into Il waking Turkisl
bath OF sticky, clll2ging clothes. ambi
ton falters ami 0=ters hope. With tn
lack OF energy lh2t a rest-destroyin
night produces ana the i~ncapacity tina
previous incorrect living affords, it i
snail wonder that one of the trio o
suicide, insanity or sunstroke Shout
claim a victim.
All crimes of emotion so %prevalen
1 during the past urnmer could be ma
terially reduced by proper care. Ever
l one should he permitted a vacatio
during the dog Gays Of the summel
5 There should be plenty of rest, wit
close attention to diet and a reductio
to the minImd1l Of bushes cares.
The philosophy OF life is never he1I
ed by the spade HAT covers the cart
over the suicide, for no night is s
dark as the day IS to the blind.