See ALIAS. the assured, he knowing and intending that death shall be the result of his act, but when his reasoning faculties are so far impaired that he is not able to understand the moral character, the general nature, consesequences, and effects of the act; or when he is impelled thereto by an insane impulse, which he has no power to resist, - such death is not within the contemplation of the parties, and the insurer is liable.1 The proviso refers to an act of criminal self-destruction; it does not apply to an insane person who takes his own life intending to take it, and knowing that death would be the result.2 "Die by his own hand," "die by suicide," and "commit suicide," are synonymous with voluntary suicide. But the addition of the condition "sane or insane" will relieve the insurer, whatever be the condition of mind of the insured. 3, 2 In 1872, when Terry's Case was decided, there was a conflict of opinion as to the interpretation to be placed upon the words "die by his own hand" or "die by suicide." All authorities agreed that the phrases did not cover every possible case of self-destruction in a blind frenzy or under an overwhelming insane impulse. Some courts held that they included every case in which a man, sane or insane, voluntarily took his own life; others, that insane self-destruction was not within the condition. If a man's reason is so clouded or disturbed by insanity as to prevent his understanding the real nature of his act, as regards either its physical consequence or its moral aspect, the case appears to come within the forcible words uttered by the late Mr. Justice Nelson, when Chief Justice of New York, in the earliest American case upon the subject: "Self-destruction by a fellow-being, bereft of reason, can with no more propriety be ascribed to his own hand than to the deadly instrument that he may have used for the purpose; " and, whether it was by drowning, poisoning, hanging or other man. ner, "was no more his act, in the sense of the law, than if he had been impelled by irresistible physical DIE; DYING; DEATH. In several power. "4 phrases, have a technical meaning: Die by his own hand or by suicide. In policies of life insurance, used in a proviso exempting the company from liability. In such case the words mean: (1) That if the assured, being in the possession of his ordinary reasoning faculties, from any cause and by any means, intentionally takes his own life, there can be no recovery; 1 Medbury v. Watson, 6 Metc. 259 (1843); Gordon v. Parmelee, 2 Allen, 214 (1861). Die in consequence of a violation of law. Expresses another condition under which a policy of life insurance will be rendered void. In a recent case it was held that so long as there was a violation of law on the part of the assured, and death as its result, it was immaterial in what manner the death was produced, excepting that there must 1 Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Terry, 15 Wall. 583 (1872), Hunt, J.; 1 Dill. 403. State v. Clarke, 3 Nev. 572 (1867), Beatty, C. J. 2 Bigelow v. Berkshire Life Ins. Co., 93 U. S. 286 * Rohrback v. Germania Fire Ins. Co., 62 Ν. Υ. 58 (1876), cases; Connecticut Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Groom, (1875), Folger, J. 86 Pa. 96-98 (1878), cases; Cooper v. Massachusetts Life Buchner v. Chicago, &c. R. Co., 60 Wis. 267-69 Ins. Co., 102 Mass. 228 (1869), cases; Knights of the (1884), Cassoday, J. Golden Rule v. Ainsworth, 71 Ala. 444-49 (1882), cases. 3 Charter Oak Life Ins. Co. v. Rodel, 95 U. S. 232 (1877), cases. * Carroll v. Lessee of Carroll, 16 How. 287 (1853), Curtis, J.; 6 Wheat. 399. • United States v. County of Clark, 96 U. S. 218 (1877), Strong, J.; 107 id. 179. See 17 F. R. 423, 425. 4 Manhattan Life Ins. Co. v. Broughton, 109 U. S. 127, 131 (Νοv. 5, 1883), cases, Gray, J., quoting Breasted v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., 4 Hill, 75 (1843).