The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-21
SHE WAS BUT A VICTIM
OF4RELIGTOCs FdNiTICIsH, SAYS
CORONER TAYLOR.
Thinks Mrs. Eetancourts Death the
Result ofGros' Negligence "A Jury
Ought to Have Viewed the Body.

Considerable comment has been in
dulsed in by reason Of the failure on the
nart OF the authorities 10 take some ac-
ton i'm regard to the death of Mrs. Beian-
court. full account Of which was pJb-
listed IN last Sundays Times. 1t seems
to be the general impression that Mrs.
Betancourts death was 4 case for the
coroner. Or. Taylor however, knew moth
ing about the case until after the funeral
was held and the details were publisnei
in The Times. When | saw him yestcf-
day ne stated that he thought the ease
should have been brought 10 his atten-
ten. and that even now II was IN Ac ,)ri-
ance with law that the body be examined
and an inquest held.
moned a jury and held an inquest over
the remains had he known OF the case
before the body was buried. A1tcf tle
lnterment he thought IL would be quite
disagreed Die to the family Of the woman,
as we'll AS to the members of the jury. 10
omen the coffin and expose the remains
10 the view OF the men, though auch was
the prescribed requirements according 10
the law He had dropped the matter SO
Ear as he was concerned. and would take
no action IN the case unless the fohce
Justice or the other authorities TOOK II
up and required the investigation
OUGHT sos TO BE ALLOWED.
81 do not think such cases ought 10 be
allowed" said Or. Taylor. when asked
for an opinion about the matter. nv
was evidently gross nesiisehcS 60,
treatment OF the patient. Iyph.oiI
IS "A disease that cannot be TRIED p" ".
IL requires the Utmost care anu w
most cautious nursing. inc "oilian ~
eolf rnfght have been an enthusiastic "
if.,-o~ In tho Christian-Science theory or
the faifh-cnre idea, but she was iot ~
condition 10 know what she wished 10
do. or whether she wanted certd-H i, -,
dies o. treatment used. Sne N.S ls"f4
cailv I'm the hards Of others, VINO sllut.
49, goen 10 IL that she had the proper
medical treatment. These people MtIe
evidently sincere i'm their belir T, ana tntr
was nothing 70 indicate criminal nts"t
erure. But people should not De alloN'T
to carry superstition 10 an eNttenie a.
believe in the power Of prayer, but not lh
that way.
LIKE OTHER SUGGESTIONS.
supncso they lad adopted the con,
irr.-root or horseshoe superstition
That m!ght have been equally as slhV,v,Ic
Win some people but would such l0llSs
DO typhoid-teVer patIlen1 @ - ~
II T. a pare ilel case. for tne S"S ,r,'.
Illustration take the Mormons. lney
are doubtlcss sincere in thor belief thal
a man has a right 10 marry nan -,
women. but society must DE cghsiu'i,'s
Ofhar people would be outraged at such
nracfices and because there must De
A limit. \ man or woman Nhp
Is 4 victim of any fanatlcism whether
I'm the way of religion. superstition, or
otaorwse is incapable OF Judging II
such matters and consequently ctner
people shout take the case IN manu-
DR. Taylor expressed the We" thal II
was unfortunate that test was nor
made Of this case % ascertain Mhelher
or not one has right TO withhold proper
n edical remedies from a person VINO -
dangerously I'D. He could not say What
effect the course Of Mr. BelanCourt woull
have upon others II strict followers on
the Christian Science theory take MI.
Betancourrs example. Dr. Taylor tnlhN7
IL more than likely that there VIII DE
SIN lar deaths.
KEEP THE PoWDz1 DRY.
Dr.. TAYLOR added that he had no objec-
lion 10 prayer being offered for the re-
c1yery OF the sick, but oliver cromwell
who was a good CO. atiag while 10 ia-
vor Of trusting IN God. also wanted the
powder kept dry tnd bee was inclined 10
agree with OhNcIf
II Is said that Mr. Bctancourt would
not even allow his wife's body TO De
bathed in alcohol, for alcohol was
remedy and would destroy the efficacy
of PRAYER.