SUICIDE IN LARGE CITIES. 91 



domen and thorax, 26 in the temple, and but 1 in the ear, thus show- 

 ing a knowledge of the vital parts of the body. In illustration of the 

 coolness and resolution of these suicides, he found that 85 left wills. 

 The chirography of letters and various communications written before 

 death was steady and natural, not betraying any signs of weakness, 

 trembling, or irresolution on the part of the writers. Parisian statis- 

 tics prove that of 3,518 cases, 2,094 occurred in the daytime, 766 in 

 the evening, and 658 at night, proving that daylight is most agreeable 

 for this kind of work. The ages at which suicide seems to be most 

 often resorted to are between forty and fifty among the men, and 

 forty-five and fifty-five among the women. 



The greatest number of suicides in the city of New York, as I have 

 said, are by poison, and this mode of self-destruction being the favorite 

 one, we are naturally led to inquire why it should be so. When we 

 take into consideration the looseness of our present laws regarding 

 the sale of poisonous drugs, and the comparative ease by which sui- 

 cides can procure the agents for their destruction, we have very little 

 cause for wonderment. The number of cases of accidental death 

 which have occurred through the criminal carelessness of certain drug- 

 gists, who deal the most deadly drugs to persons unknown to them, is 

 worthy of serious comment. There appears to be no difSculty for the 

 would-be suicide to buy just what poison he desires. A large propor- 

 tion of the inhabitants of great cities are confirmed in certain perni- 

 cious habits. Among them are opium-eating and chloroform-taking, 

 which they pursue to what extent they choose, as these articles are 

 always to be had. 



It is needless to say that the opium-habit, like alcoholism, fre- 

 quently leads to self-destruction. 



In this country, upon several occasions, certain individuals have 

 taken their own lives after insuring them, that the policy might be 

 paid to the family of the suicide. This is an example of a very inter- 

 esting psychical condition. Alcohol and its secondary effects have 

 swelled the number of suicides, and the victims who have died by 

 their own hands have been equally of the higher and the lower classes 

 in this country. I think a great increase in the returns of mortality 

 of this especial variety of suicide would be observed if the reporting 

 physicians would conscientiously state the cause of death. The shame 

 attached to the procedure, particularly among people of position, has 

 prompted the return to be made of " meningitis," " cerebral conges- 

 tion," or other diseases. Within the last two years, I can call to my 

 mind the suicide of six people of high social position, caused by drink. 

 This vice is perhaps not entirely characteristic of large towns, but the 

 facility for indulgence of the habit, and the numerous ways of drink- 

 ing in private, are more perfect in the cities. 



In smaller places, there is a certain amount of contact with one's 

 fellows, which makes him the cynosure of all eyes, should he indulge 



