Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-06-28

We are indebted to friend IN New YORK
for copy of the "Sun Extra" containing a
report of the trial of Dr.. Septimus Hunter
for manalaughter, in causing the death OF
patient by malpractice in Obstetrics. The
counsel for the defendant attempted to exclude
the material part of the testimony on the
ground that his client was lawfully set to
work by the deceased or her friends, and that
the death of the patient, if caused by him, laid
the foundation not for an indictment, but for
civil action for damages. The court over.
ruled the objection and admitted the testi-
mouy. which proved that the dea,h Of the wo-
man was caused by malpractice Of the de-
fendant, through ignorance of the professional
duties which he had undertaken to discharge.
The jury, accordingly, after labored argu~
msnt by the counsel On both sides, brought IN
verdict of manslaugher. The sentence OF
the court was twelve months confinement IN
the Penitentiary. Here the doctor will be
taught to labor in some mechanical employ.
ment by which, when liberated, he may be
able honestly to support himself without en-.
dangering the lives of those who pstronlse
him.
The example is good one, and the first OF
the kind which, so far as we know, has been
set in this country. The prosecuting attorney
in opening the case, stated that only two such
were ON record as having occurred IL any
court. 1t is to be hoped the case will cali
attention to the subject in other parts of
the country, and that similar prosecutions will
fellow in different States. Thousands upon
thousands are killed annually in this country
by men as ignorant as Doctor Hunter, mauy
of them more so, who by loIG Professions
of extraordinary skill and success in the treat
ment of disease lure into their hands conf
ding victims. 1t is no excuse that they intend
no evil. They may consider their remedies
and practice safe. Many of them may verify
believe at the time they are killing their pa
tient, that they are doing the very best thing
which could be done to save him. Hunter be.
Eeved the same thing but his patient Jared
none the better for that. 1t was his confidence
that carried him forward in the mischi eff which
he was doing, against the CRIES and resistance
of bis patient and the remcnstrance OF her
friends. If quacks knew the danger OF their
quackery, nineIy-nine in hundred OF them
would quit it. 1t is to their ignorant conf,
dence that their boastmg is often to be ascrl.
bed, rather than to any extraordinary moral
depravity, or wish to deceive. They are COM
monty SO ignorant Of the structure and func.
tons of the different organs in the human
frame-of the diseases to which these organs
are liable, and the arrangement OF function
which sometimes occur, as we'll as OF the ma
ture and effects Of the drugs which they use'
and the symptoms by which these effects are
indicated, that they do not often know when
death occurs, whether it is caused by the dis
ease or bv their treatment. A timely and
proper investigation would often throw light on
such cases that would enable the public as well
as the practitioners to understand them better.
We believe statute of an adjoining State
seldom executed, requires a jury OF inquest to
be summoned in every case of death from
whatever cause. Such a law, if properly ex'
ecuted in these days of quackery. might pre-
vent many ofthe ceaths which now occur. A
few convictions of manslaughter for causing
death by ignorant malpractice Of medicine in
any State, would make quacks-aye, and some
M. DIS too-either quit administering medi-
cine, or qualify themselves for intelligent prac.