The HospitalA Journal of Zbe flfeeMcal Sciences ant> Ibospital administration. Edited "by Sir Henry Burdett, K.C.B., and [April 30, 1898. Vol. XXIV,?No. 605.] Solomon C. Smith, M.D., M.R.C.P.

Compounding a Felony!

men in such, intimate and an our Medical stand relationship that is offence to law .... I think it with the life of the of to warn family nation, they necessity right you. that you need not answer any become the. of such confidential com- depositaries questions I put to you, but if you do I should be and the that are able to do bound to take them munications, good they down, and it will be my duty to so the maintenance of that depends largely upon bring the matter before the proper authorities." whatever seal of professional secrecy which, may We rub our eyes! Compounding a felony because be said by some to the contrary, does as a fact he did not report an attempt at suicide ! Can it be the confessions of the that true that it is a on protect consulting-room, really doctor's duty, his way it becomes a matter of the supremest interest, to home from his morning's round, to call in at the as much as to the to the public quite profession, police-station and report any little information at once to turn the protest against any attempt which he may have picked up as to possible crimes trusted medical adviser into a and a police agent committed by his patients ? The very suggestion is public informer. Let us then in a few words tell an outrage. Fortunately, however, the profession a little history about a tragedy which happened has the distinct ruling of an eminent judge as a guide a only week or two ago. A single lady, thirty- to conduct in such cases, and the matter is so three of mind years age, became much depressed in important, and it is so desirable that the proper and, when staying with a cousin, who was a medical relation between the medical profession and the man in London, she tried to commit suicide by public should be clearly understood, that we quote She then went to live with a taking laudanum. the following from the summing up by Mr. Justice medical man at Ewell as a voluntary boarder. While Hawkins in the well-known case of Kitson v. there she appeared to be suffering from hysteria Playfair and wife. His lordship is reported to and occasional depression, but she could manage have said: her own affairs and was and cheerful. usually bright " It was also said the medical witnesses that, As a she had a nurse, but she never by precaution if in the course of came made farther to do herself harm professional practice they any attempt any across a case which indicated either that a crime until one she out the window and night got by had been committed or was about to be committed, drowned herself. All this is very simple and very that under those circumstances they were bound to sad, and is but another illustration of the fact that divulge it. To whom? To the Public Prosecutor! If a woman committed an offence there are plenty of people at large who are un- poor, wretched for the of rid of that with which doubtedly at times insane, and yet are not so insane purpose getting she was and of saving her character, her a? to come under the as at pregnant, lunacy law it exists means reputation, and, it might be, her very^ of present. livelihood, and if a doctor was called in to assist Oar present interest in the case, however, centres her?not in procuring abortion, for that in itself in the inquest. It was clearly desirable to get some was a crime?but called in for the purpose of and her medical advice?how account of the previous attempt at suicide as bear- attending her giving she be cured so as to forth about her ing upon her state of mind, and Dr. Kingsforde, of might go business?he learned doubted very, volunteered to evidence. He said (the Judge) Brondesbury, give in very, very much whether he would be justified he was cousin to the to to deceased, who, prior going going forth and saying to the Public Prosecutor: was a month in his house. It was at his ' who E^ell, I have been attending a poor young woman assist- house that deceased took poison. On his saying this, has been trying to procure abortion with the and is the coroner pointed out the position witness was ance of her sister. She is now pretty well, and in the course of a few days she in, and cautioned him that what he said might getting better, will be out again, but I think I ought to put you hereafter operate adversely against him. Later on " on to the woman.' # he I think it to a warn- a like said, necessary give you "To his learned Judge's) mind, thing (the He did not ing. Compounding a felony is a very serious thing. that would be a monstrous cruelty. he If a person takes poison, that is prima facie know what the jury's views would be; spoke when it was said that evidence that they want to do themselves an injury, only of his own. Therefore, 70 THE HOSPITAL. April 30, 1898.

there was a general rule existing in the medical This seems perfectly plain, and a general accept- profession that whensoever they saw in the course ance of the principles so well laid down by Mr. of their medical attendance that a crime had been Justice Hawkins is most desirable. The idea that, committed, or was about to be committed, they after stomach-pumping a poor wretch, and bringing were in all cases to go off to the Public Prosecutor, her back to the life she wanted to escape from, a he (the learned Judge) was bound to say that it doctor is bound straightway to hale her before the was not a rule which met with his approbation, and magistrate, and so upset such chance of sanity as he hoped it would not meet with the approbation remains to her by the shame and terror of the police- of anybody else." court, is absurd.