Evening journal., 1920-09-10
EXPLAIN suicide
AMONGENGLISH
Scorn American Theories on
Sex Problems; Some In
tereSting Comments
BREAK DOWN
UNDER STRAIN

LONDON, Sept. iO-Is suicide
among women on the increase in
Great Britain, as it is in the United
Statesg
Medical experts-in the United States
are OF the opinion that marriage, in
its altered conditions. IL one Of the
causes OF the rise. il being necessary
for a woman to retain her husbands
affection by something more adyane-
ed than love.
Marriage. they say. is becoming a
business, and IL, in addition to having
to solve many problems in order 10
preserve happy marital relations, a
woman goes in for a business career
S herself. she suffers a further strain on
her resources and breaks down under
1t In many cases.
The latest available statistics as TO
suicide in Great Britain are for The
year 1915 when there was an Increase
for both sexes, but especially among
women. over the unusually low
figures for the preceding year.
Strangely enough the rise was most
marked In the fourth quarter, during
the time Of general rejoicing over the
termination OF the war. This was op-
posed 10 the experience OF the past
decade. the fourth quarter OF the
year having been the lighiest in each
case.
As a reason for this increase Of
suicide among women 1t was suggest
ed that about that lime many wives
were greatly disturbed at the pros
pect OF their husbands returning and
discovering that they had been un-
faithful In their absence.
One OF our most eminent women
physicians who was consulted by a
Globe representative on the subject
laughed fhe American theories as TO
marriage TO scorn. She doubted very
much III suicide were on The increase
among Englishwomen. but even II
these should be a rise In the figures,
1t would be attributable, she be-
lieved, 10 the strain imposed by the
war.
Very often the reaction after an
event may be delayed for-two years.
A woman makes up her mind not 10
give way. and the stronger her char
acier the longer she is before she
breaks down.
"But the statements put down 10
the American experts about marriage
arc all b0sh" " added this lady Mar
rlage is a finer thing now than II has
z ever been before. and II Is going TO
be finer still.
nership OF two people who mutually
care for each others interests. and
has nothing 10 do with Millon's foo'-
ling nonsense He for God, and she
for God In him.
"Generally speaking 10 Is some lit
he thing that sends women or the
rails and makes them commit suicide
and not worry. The cutting down OF
The rice diet DUNG the war was all
e io womens advantage
~ see no cause whatever why there
should he any increase OF cases o
self-dcsiruciion among oSr own sex
The Interesting fact was mcniiOn' 'f
by this lady that. contrary 10 gen.
eral belief. June Is the suicide month
and not November.
nr Josiah Oldneld. the well-knowr
physician. had some interesting com
menis 20 make on the subject In an
Interview today.
''Tho statistics Of suicide from
America" he said, "arc only for lasl
year. and are therefore OF little value
Tor the purpose Of building up seA
theories.
"lt is stated that because last veal
the ratio OF suicides as between w0
mfn and women had rlsel from pre-
Nlour aNfldEt or one woman 10 llrhl
men 10 an average OF one woman sui
ride to every two men that. therefore
modern married life Is 10 be blamed
I'VE must not forget. however. iha
last year was the year Of American
men returning from the war. and
therefore. among men there w0ull
not be so many left who would wan
10 commit suicide.
Again. in the last quarter OF i9i
Womon's suicides jumped up tremen
dously-lhat Is, the suicides OF won
en- OF marriageahle agc-and The sal
pity OF 10 was that while The worll
was mad with rejoicing oyer IN
Rrmistice and the end OF the ghastl,
nightmare of war, many women wen
mad through The pangs OF guilty con
science when they knew that thei
husbands were returning and thel
own inndelity would be discovered
But" went on Dr. Oldneld. i
there be any value in the American
Statistics they emphasize the points
pf my recent leciure-that every wO
$. man needs man 10 lean upon Tha
until she is safely anchored in wed
lock a woman Is an unstable vesse
and liable TO capsize.
"1nat her security and peace an,
! happiness lies in wifehoOd. mother
hood and homehood
"That whereas a few OF the se-
may be better flited 10 be public
rather than private women. vet. fo
The maioity the calls Of husband an,
children and home are the trues
rails OF illness, duty and happiness.