Citation

Boyle AH. Br. Med. J. BMJ 1928; 2(3542): 923-926.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1928, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20774278

PMCID

PMC2456663

Abstract

... Still further evidence of the need for expert work is exhibited in the Crimnin-al Statistics published by the Home Office, which show that 4,408 suicides occurred iin England and Wales in 1926, and 2,194 attempted suicides were known to the police-altogether 6,602. To these must be added a large number, probably the majority of attempted suicides, which have not come to the notice of the police, and some successful suicides which are never found out. As well as these suicidal cases there are recorded a large numtiber of sex offences knowni to the police. The total was 4,935. This included 125 cases of rape and 1,961 of indecenit assaults on females. The remainder was made up of cases of indecen t exposure (1,973), unnatural offenlces, incest, etc. Wlhile in no way mininlizing the power of the humani beinig to exert conitrol, it may be suggested that, without straininig probability undiuly, it is more than likely that maniy of the above offences are evidence of want of mental balance. Also it is certain that all such cases are not kn-owni to the police, and that there are many which are responisible for marital unhappiness and the wreck of wholesome family life short of insanity. No one who has been in practice for long and has the intimate conifidence of his patients can fail to have nmet these cases. All those who are concerned with nervous and mental work will know that they are maniy. Alcoholism also is often a sign of mental and nervous instability. ...