Coroner’s records of 271 suicides occurring in the Oldham County Borough area over the years 1946-60, inclusive were analyzed. The suicide rate was 15.1 per 100,000. Over half the persons involved fell between 51 & 70 years of age & the average age was 57.3 years. The least number of suicides occurred on Sundays (10.3%) & the greatest number on Mondays (19.8%). The commonest method was coal gas poisoning (70.8%). Physical illness, usually of a chronic & disabling nature & involving pain or discomfort was present in >60% of the cases. (7 refs)