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11
Cancer carried off 133 individuals, and Tuberculosis of the
Respiratory System 60, a combined number of 193.
This compares with a total of 164 for last year, and the percentage
of deaths from these two causes is 23.9, as against 21.7
for 1935.
INQUESTS.
Eighteen inquests and twenty-seven P.M.s without inquests
were held in Enfield during the year, and the verdicts were as
follows:—
Natural Causes 27
Accidental Causes 8
Suicides 9
Misadventure 1
The above table shows that 9 persons committed suicide during
the year under review. In 1935 there were 4, and in 1934. 7.
The ages and sexes of the 9 people who committed suicide
during the year were as follows:—
Males 30, 53, 57, 63 and 65 years.
Females 22, 40, 42 and 68 years.
SUICIDES.
I once more deplore the publicity that is given not only to
suicides, but at attempts to commit suicide.
I fail to see any advantage to the public in being informed of
the fact that an individual, whose name is always quoted, either
committed suicide or attempted to do so. I repeat, moreover, my
belief that this publication of cases of suicide tends to unbalance
those whose affairs are unhappy, and to suggest to them a way
out of their troubles. In many of these cases a cure might have
been effected had they not received this incentive to suicide, but
adequate treatment instead.
It has often been said that those who talk about it are the very
persons who never commit suicide; this statement is incorrect and
a suggestion of suicide should always be taken seriously, especially
so from persons who are unhappy or of neurotic disposition.