Life Insurance Offices and Suicide

Abstract

The remarks I have to offer for your consideration this evening relate to the subject of suicide, both in its medico-legal and social aspects. I am led to think that the every-day opinions entertained of suicide, its causes, &c., are altogether erroneous, and themselves a source of untruth and of much evil in society. If we will take the trouble to read the statements made in the newspaper press as to suicide and the parties implicated in the same, it is apparent that the act of self-destruction is, as a very general rule, viewed as one of a perfectly voluntary character—as one originating in the will—the normal will—of the individual most concerned. The world, so to speak, ignores the fact—the important fact—that every case of suicide is the accompaniment and consequence of a positive brain disorder, the effect of cerebro-mental disease. Need I add that a better acquaintance with psychological science—with the brain, its functions and diseased states—must, one day, cause this fact to be duly appreciated. Pending such a state of things, we must look for not only the false judgments of editors of public journals, but for the want of common justice on the part of Life Assurance Offices as towards their clients. I shall hope to prove to you, Mr. President, first, that the act of suicide is, at all times and under all circumstances, but one of the many indications of cerebro-mental disease—of, in one word, insanity; second, that the conduct of Life Assurance Societies towards their numerous clients, and in so far as suicide is concerned, is in all respects incompatible with an advanced psychology, and at variance with a due sense of right and common justice.