ONE HUNDRED FEMALE BURNS CASES : A STUDY IN SUICIDOLOGY

SUMMARY A study of one hundred consecutive female burns (aged 15-40) admissions into the Department of Plastic Surgery, Madurai Medical College and Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai revealed 70% to be suicidal, 25% accidental, 3% homicidal ad 2% non-classifiable in nature. The important causes were grouped under psychiatric disorders (23%) physical illness (15%), and marital and interpersonal problems (51%). The unreliability of dying declarations was observed. The degree of burns, previous suicide attempts and family history were analysed. Abdominal pain and marital problems in relation to suicide are discussed in detail. 5% of suicides were due to dowry related problems. Post Vention measures towards the management of the survivors of suicide attempt and family members of the suicide were undertaken. Broad guidelines on prevention of suicide from marital problems are indicated. The technique of ‘Psycho-logical autopsy’ was utilised for collection of data and reconstruction of the anatomy of suicide.

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