The Washington herald., 1912-04-07

large percentage commit suicide he
cause Of disappointment in love. Unre-
Quilted love preys upon the mind until
death seems the only desirable end The
lover seeks death in many cases hop
ing that the sweetheart. when learning
OF the tragedy win become penitent.
Many OF the suicides are attributed to
domestic troubles ouarrels occur. and
as q result OF the hasty word spoken
in wrath. husband or wife broods over
the matter. until finally persuaded that
death is the only solution Of the mat
ter.
| Five per cent Of all suicides are traced
TO the fear Of disgrace. Grief Is attri-
buted as the cause of AT per cent Of
the suicides in the country. The death
Of a dear friend or relative throws the
survivor into state of gloom. There
is no light in the future. The world
is dark and lonesome. Driven deeper
and deeper into the depths OF hypo-
chondria, the bereayed one finally yields
TO the suicidal tendency, which sooner
or later suggests itself to all melan-
choly persons.
Alcoholism claims L1s per cent OF the
self-taken lives annually. Last In the
statistical list Of causes OF self-destruc-
tion is chagrin.
March In Popular.
During the year 1910, March was the
most popular month for suicides. In
March there were Sc cases Of self-de-
struction in the country. June took sec
ond place. with sos suicides. July rank
ed third. having IA suicides to its credit
February was the least popular month
in the year. During the month there
were only 5sl suicides.
During the past year there were eighty
nine suicides in the District The num-
Der is steadily increasing In 1906 there
were onl yseventy suicides, and in 1907
were only seventy suicides, and in 1907
arms is the most popular means Of end
ing life. II Is one of the most effective
ways u the bullet Is well directed. Death
is almost instantaneous. During the past
year twenty-seven persons in the District
committed suicide by means Of firearms.
The use of poison takes second place.
Twenty-Five persons sought death during
the year by this means. Strange to re-
late. twenty persons took carbolic acid.
notwithstanding the fact that the suffer
ing from the acid is known TO be ter
rife. Three persons used mercuric acid.
which is much less painful. One drank
muriatic acid with fatal effect One per-
son took opium as a means of self-de-
struction.
The use Of Illuminating gas takes third
tion. Twenty-three persons committed
suicide by this means. The method Is q
painless one, but is rather diflcult to
carry out successfully. because of the
danger of the odor OF the gas being de-
tected before life Is extinct. Six persons
committed suicide by cutting. Drowning.
which is described by persons who have
peaceful death. was resorted to by six
persons during the year. Two persons
strangled themselves to death.
Nearly all of the suicides in the coun-
try are white people. Statistics also
show that the greater number OF sui
cides is among the males. OF course.
suicides occur at all hours OF the day
and night. but most take place between
8 O'Clock in the evening and midnight.
They occur with greatest frequency in
the afternoon and evening. The time
at which suicides occur is significant,
as the cause can usually be deducea
from IT. Persons suffering from I'll
health usually kill themselves early in
the morning, following a sleepless night. |
and after lying awake thinking over |
their maladies until the thought of life |
becomes unbearable. |
Suicides attributed to disappointment |
in love and domestic troubles come late |
in the evening, after the lovers have |
met and quarreled. and after husbands
have returned from their work and |
caused disruptions in the home. De- |
Epondency drives persons to self-destruc- |
tion mostly in the afternoon. IL has !
also been discovered that they usually /
occur in the springtime. especially in |
June, and on bright days. This is be-
cause the brightness OF the day. the
myriad voices OF nature, and the happi-
ness on every hand make, through the
law OF contrast, the resistIess and deep
seated gloom only more CHASTITY and /
despairing. Chagrin results fatally in
the forenoon when the thought OF going
out into the world and meeting persons
who know of the cause of the mental
anguish, drives the embarrassed one to
the depths Of utter darkness.
Many Choose Monday.
Monday is the favorite day for end
ng life with men. The money has been
spent Saturday night and Sunday. and
he family is left penniless. On Mon
lay the suicide experiences the dread
iul depression following the artificial
stimulation resorted to on Saturday
Ind Sunday. Women usually select
Sunday. On that day the family is to-
yether and there are consequently fam
ly quarrels and troubles which are
brought to light in all their sadness
Ind hopelessness.
Nearly all OF the suicides in the Dis
.rict are among white persons. During
he past year seyenty-eight white per-
IONS ended their lives in the National
capital, whereas only eleven colored
persons sought death at their own
lands. Most of the suicides in the
District are among men. But few
women seek self-destruction. During
he year sixty-tHo white men commit
ed suicide, whereas only sixteen wom-
n ended their own lives. Seven colored
men died at their own hands and four
olored women killed themselves.
Throughout the United States during
he year 1910 the use of firearms proved
he most popular means of self-destruc-
lon. BY this means 2.Js1 persons COM
litted suicide. Poison took second place,
nth 2,45S victims. One thousand two
undred and sixty-hve persons ended !
heir lives by means OF hanging or
Asphyxiation claimed sfi
ictims. and 54 killed themselves by the
Sc Of cutting or piercing instruments.
was sought as a means of
cath OF 511 persons. One hundred and
1irty seven persons committed suicide by ,
Imping from high places, and eighty
ght persons crushed themselves to
cath. Elghty-one suicides were brought
bout by miscellaneous means.
These figures merely represent the num-
er of persons who succeeded in ending
lefr lives There are thousands of per-
ons annually who attempt to commit
Igs. II statistics dealing with this vast
Multitude were compiled by the Census
ureau. the results would be appalling.
California Rate Highest.
The fact that California, the land of