The changing pattern of attempted suicide in Edinburgh, 1962-67.

Abstract

A study of 'attempted suicide' in Edinburgh was undertaken by Kessel and McCulloch from mid- 1962 to mid-1963 and, in part, reported in the Milroy Lectures to the Royal College of Physicians Special interest in attempted suicide has continued in Edinburgh since that time. At the ward in the Royal Infirmary for the treatment of such cases, the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre, admissions are seen not only by physicians but for the most part also by a psychiatrist. The practice in the city for all hospital-referred cases of attempted suicide to be admitted there has remained unchanged over the last five years, and it is therefore possible to compare the current preva- lence of attempted suipide with that observed five years ago.