The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-17

~ F all the questions which being put forward
l by advanced thinkers for general consideration
and discussion that which embodies severe crit
l J icism of the methods of civilization in regard
to the treatment of the incurably sick is most
vitality interesting.
At present the highest skill of physicians and
trained nurses and the self abnegatory of
kindred and friends exerted to prolong life, how
ever little blessing the life prolonged may be to
sufferer himself, to his family the world
large. There not few persons, however, who
stand ready to pioneer movement in different di
recton and these by no sensationalists
seekers after personal notorety, but individuals who
arrived their present convictions after long
and earnest study of the subject and the different
principles involved.
is their claim that life is not desirable, and
that when the body becomes simply torture chamber
the ues kindness would be to painlessly and speedily
set the spirit free.
1t is curious manifestation of the tolerant spirit
Of the age that such theory should be boldly ad-
vanced and seriously debated.
The following opinions on the subject were given
by and of different professions and beliefs
here in San Francisco.
Each year of scientific medical investigation is re-
ducing the limit of the term ncurable, that the
question durable or incur
I. . 49, able is very difficult
FREDERICK WD EVELYN TO answer, and would
NJ D. 81 Lukes Ho,Dr,I readily afford just grounds
for misunderstanding and
uncertainty, only In
profession.
Further the consent of the victim Of the disease
even his urgent prayer for relief from his sufferings
could not be morally legally considered reliable
arsument or rational conclusion.
diseased body would most certainly prohibit that
healthy and normal mentality which would admit of
the patients being considered in right mind whether
his statement to his wishes the outcome of
deVilmay Indifference the tremulous prostra-
ton of invaidism.
But these apparently indsputable objections pre-
sent comparatively little difficulty when conrasted
with a nober and greater, namely, mans humanity
Not the bombastic pseudOnym 'humanitariansm" a
word so lovingly handled by class of authenticated
mlShts whose relationship his wants bring
no more solace than does a hangmans rope and no
more cheer than the chilling beams of December sun
We are our brothers keeper not our brothers de-
stroyer and our duty is, stages of the ira geiv
OF life to support, not Destroy to maintain not to
annihilate. W -
To grant to any the professional right n re
move NE would be grave and direct violation
OF all laws divine and human far given to rs II
Is our duty to reduce human suffering to minimum
10 alleviate the pangs of disease cover I'D it's
soeess but never our prerogatve to ad1udcate that
we shall destroy '4"'
would no more feel justified in drawing nv re-
NoVer and firing through the still pusang hort of
a comrade who had fallen in the charge and whose
sLeli-rlVen pody could scarce retain his soul than
would feel conscience free moor
SIMPLY because the horror cancer had passed bavond
human interventf,n ~ o'oi4u
am not yet prepared to relegate hunoani+1, - =
mere brute level and not until thunders Of sinai
aIlnuI the old command Thou shalt not kiu" viii T
yled 10 humanitarfanism the last awful issues of
Ire or death; human fraty, but trust forever ~
separately linked to human fidelity q III
While the idea may be shocking one to many it
seems 10 me to be perfectly right and feel sure that
the day will come when it's
f1