Citation

Hulett A. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 1951; 146(12): p1151.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1951, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.1951.03670120061026

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To the Editor:--I have just perused the article "Suicide Following Cortisone Treatment" (J. A. M. A.146:337 [May 26] 1951). Certainly it is of value to have this case history of suicide coincident to cortisone therapy recorded in The Journal for all to see and be thus alerted to such possible hazard. However, a patient in a state of acute reactive depression with manifest suicidal inclinations should not be allowed to remain in her own home and under the surveillance and care of her family. It has been recognized for many years that any patient possessed of suicidal intent will succeed therein unless placed in an institution where means to such self-destruction do not exist and where the patient can be given constant and skilled attention.Such acute suicidal psychoses occur widely and have been occurring long before modern drug therapy was discovered. The imperative need for commitment