Evening star., 1901-10-28
Thirty-Eight Cases of Suicide.

Thirty-Eight Cases of Suicide.
1.-TWO hundred and sixtytwo deaths were
produced by external causes. OF these
thirty-eight were due to suicide, 213 to ac-
cidents, nine to criminal homicides and two
to judicial execution. OF the suicides sew
enteen were by poisoning, three by the in
halation of illuminating gas, two by hang
ing, three by drowning, nine by the use of
firearms and four by cutting instruments
of various sorts. There was an increase of
eight In the number OF suicides by poison
ing and an increase of three in the number
of suicides by the use Of firearms. AS usu-
al, self-deStruction was much more COM
mon among the whites than among the
colored, and more common among males
than among females. The total number of
white suicides was thirty-one and OF col
ored seven. The total number of males
was twenty-five and of females thirteen.
Sunstroke was responsible for fifty-one
deaths, an increase Of forty-four.
Statistics of Births.
1.-The number of reported births was 4,531,
a decrease of ITO since last year. These
returns represent the births of 2, $50 white
children and 1,151 colored. At fifty-five
births twins were delivered. and on one oc-
casion triplets. OF the total number OF
births reported 525, or 11.6 per cent, were
illegitimate-in seventy-seven cases white
and 44S colored. OF the entire number
1,751 from midwives.
'Ffve hundred and twenty-four stillbirths
were reported: 1876 white and 800 colored.
In 1913 cases these births were reported as
H. egitimate; % white and 113 colored. Three
hundred and seveEty-five were reported by
physicians and 149 by the coroner. The lat
ter represent in many cases dead bodies
picked up in public places and in others
stillbirths occurring in confinement under
care of midwives. The cause of these still
births is usually reported as unknown. 34S
cases. In % cases the cause was said to be
difficult labor, in IA overeXertion' of mother,
in 13 pressure on the cord and in IL uremic
convulsionS In mother.
Returns of Marriages.
"The total number of marriages recorded
during the year was 1,s77; white. 1,274, and
colored, 6O3. The number of marriage
licenses issued by the clerk Of the court
during the corresponding period was 1887.
showing that approximately 1873 per cent
Of the total number Of marriages have not
been reported.
ashes and miscellaneous refuse at public ex-
pense have not thus far yielded the results
that were expected. Yards have been found
in insanita-y condition. chiefly the result
while during the preceding year such con-
ditions were reported in but 1853.
"It Is satisfactory to note a decrease in
the infantile mortality coincident with the
existence oi tuc pfcSeut law IeSuldluiS Inc
sale of milk" continues DR.. Woodward.
I'm view Of the ppropriation which has
been made for the better enforcement of
this law hereafter 1t may reasonably be
expected that II the decrease in the infan-
tile mortality heretofore has been In any
way due to the enforcement of the milk
law in the past further decrease will oc-
cur hereafter. The law in itself. however.
needs amendment in order to secure the
best possible results. It is much to be re-
gretted, therefore. that the bill presented
to Congress last year for that purpose fail
ed In its passage. Another effort to secure
needed legislation will be made during the
coming year."
A report of the pound service shows the
number OF animals taken into custody as