Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-04-17
Euthanasia.

science opens up now discoveries in every
department which concerns tho progress and
welfare Of mankind. AS each now theory
rises and takes shape, mon look with distrust
on it's announcement and often years arc
required for them to realize that tho most
favored ideas of the past arc exploded. At
times this spirit Of inquiry ventures into
field, which should be sacred from even it's
wisdom, rs the present disposition of some
great minds to sot up war with religion.
Were success in this matter possblo, which
we deny, it would be better for mankind to
live under the sweet dolusion Of Gospel saliva.
tion than to drift into the doubts and immo-
ralities of anti-Christian days, for religion is
not only the soul Of morality and the stay of
good government, but is also the hopo Of
mankind in passing into tho unknown future.
No greater wonder to us has been lately met
than the consideration of the subject called
euthapasia byth State Medical Association
at it's late meeting, and tho apparent favor
with which it was discussed by body Of able
medical scientists. Euthanasia means on
easy death. but in medical parlance it is the
right Of physicians, whom they regard death
certain in o short time, to hasten it, and cut
short suffering. It was considered in an
ethical, religious and legal point of view, and
tho conclusion was reached that society was
not ready for it yot, but tho committee re-
commended that the consideration Of the
subject be continued. In their report, as
taken from the Nc,os and Courier, the com,
mittce said;
Medically thero was no authority aHI
no precedent Of practice to justify tho sacrifice
of life except whom it became necessary to
save life. In tho consideration Of it morally
the committee found itsof hodgcd. While it
did seem that in somo CAGES humunit might
bo entitled to tho snmo mercy accorded the
brute creation, and have its death artifoially
hastened to relieve it from an agony which
could only end in dissolution, yet should tho
door be oponed to suoh practice it would lead
TO manifold horrible abuses. In its ethical
inspect they were met with similar difficulties
They could not report as ethical thnt which
is contrary to the usos Of society, tho laws Of
which forbid the taking of human life In
it's religious aspect tho committee had felt
hardly competent to consider the subject at
oil. Taking religious views of tho matter,
euthanasia, in the sense contemplated, would
necessarily be rejected, partly because it was
contrary to tho generally received opinion
that certain amount of suffering was the
Divine decree. The greatest difficulty, how
over, was encountered in the legal aspects Of
the subject. According to all codes of civil
lizcd men, tho law was distinct and clear,
''thou shalt not kill" In tho present state Of
society the practice of outhanasia was illegal,
and could only DO regarded rs the practice of
murder. IIo did not condemn the further
investigation Of the subject, however, and
thought it would be we'll to continue its con-
sdoration from year to year, when
finally written report, which was not
deemed at present to be expcdicnt could be
and in society, thero would bo no possibility of
making recommendations upon tho practice
of enthanasia: 1t might appear to tho UNI
thinking mind easy enough to administer an
over dose of choral or morphine. to shorten
the pains Of dying patient, and he did not
doubt that it had been frequently unwittingly
done by physicians having no other idcn than
however. would cut thoir patients' throats,
although that would bo tho easiest and most
oxpeditious way Of shortening tho death
agony. Thcro would hc littlc difference in
any respect however, bctw oen causing death
secretly or opcnly with tho weapons of the
assassin The committee recommend that
tho consideration Of the subject bc continued.
Dr3T. Il. Robertson, of Winnsboro', said ho
regretted that the report had not boon subs
mtted in such form as to 60 on tho minutes
of tho meeting. The time had como when
scientific men should discuss this and similar
questions, regardless Of thcologians. Eutha
nasia was as sure to be accepted as tho doc
trine Of evolution, and that would bo as
surely as the Copernican system in astronomy
Society was not prepared for it rs yet, but
the time had como to discuss the question as
whether physicians are ever justified in
shortening life. lie believed they wcrc, and
SSas sure tho scientific world would sooner or