Fatal Ingestions in Edinburgh 1974–78

Abstract

A retrospective survey of 275 fatal ingestions in Edinburgh is reported. There was only one accidental death in a child; the remainder comprised 113 men and 161 women. There were significant differences as to sex and age relationship. Single men and divorced or separated persons of both sexes were most strongly represented. Barbiturates comprised the group of drugs most often responsible for death, but common analgesics caused as many deaths as did tricyclic antidepressants and tranquillizers combined. The significance of alcohol was less than was anticipated, as was the association of significant organic disease. At least half of those who died were under treatment for psychiatric disease, and the evidence is that toxic ingestion is the commonest mode of suicide in the area. The limitations of a retrospective study are stressed and it is suggested that a central review of potential suicidal deaths as they occur would be useful.