This article details the high rate of suicide in San Diego from 1911 to 1926. The authors discuss reasons why the rate is so high, & provide data on methods used, age, gender, marital status, immigration, the effect of chronic illness, & the occupation of the victims. They believe that suicide is the most primitive form of regression, & is an expression of definite pathological maladjustment. They propose that the symbolic image of the southwest United States attracts regressive people. (VM)