SUICIDE IN AUSTRALIA: A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FACTS. 245 



8. Conclusions.— The following conclusions are drawn 

 from an examination of the whole of the results : — 



(i.) The relative frequency of suicide in Australia is very 

 constant. 



(ii.) It apparently exhibits a secular oscillation of 46 

 years period and of relatively small amplitude, viz., 15°/°. 

 The existence of this cannot be decisively determined till 

 another half century has elapsed. 



(iii.) While economic conditions express themselves in 

 the frequency of suicide, their effects are relatively small, 

 and are comparable in magnitude only with the regular 

 annual fluctuation. In a half century's experience the 

 greatest deviations from the mean are -15°/° to +21°/ u , and 

 from the oscillation of 46 years period less than 14°/° either 

 way. 



(iv.) Australia occupies a mean place in a list of fre- 

 quency of suicide for all countries. 



(v.) The annual fluctuation in Australia (fluctuation from 

 month to month) is well marked, but is only about half of 

 what it is in Europe. It ranges between -14°/° to +10°/°. 



(vi.) In Europe the mean temperature range, between 

 the hottest and coldest months is about 33° Fahr. and in 

 Australia it is only 19° Fahr., say 57°/> of that of Europe; 

 the range of suicide frequency during the year is similarly 

 only about 50°/° of that of Europe. 



(vii.) The annual fluctuation stands in the same relation 

 to the seasons, i.e., the maximum and minimum frequencies 

 in Europe are in the months June and December respec- 

 tively, and in Australia in the months December and June. 



(viii.) It would appear from this that the annual temper- 

 ature fluctuation or some unknown phenomenon associated 

 therewith has a profound influence on the frequency of 

 suicide. 



