Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-18
THE M'CANTS
CONTROVERSY
Trial Of Dr.. Hanson Resumed
This Morning.
DEFENDANTS TESTIMONY
He Contends That the Eruption on
Patient Was Caused by
a Drug.

The trial of DR.. H. H. Hanson was re-
sumed in Judge Sullivan's court at 10
o'clock this morning, and the court room
was crowded with medical experts on
either side of the McCants smallpox
controversy, which is growing day by
day and threatens to involve all the med
ical men of the city. DR.. Hanson is
charged with violating the health ordi-
nance in neglecting to report the illness
of Charles McCants, an alleged victim Of
the dread disease. The case began Fri
day afternoon, was continued until Sat
urday, and Saturday evening an ad-
journment was taken until this morn
ing.
The last witness for the city was De-
tective Charles Ray, who testified that
on December II he called on DIR. Hanson
and inquired of him concerning the
no reply.
Several questions tending to show the
deafness of Hanson We're put to Mr..
Ray. The city then rested.
DR.. H. H. Hanson. the defendant, then
took the stand. He said he had practiced
medicine since 81: had been in Butte Is
months. and before coming to Butte had
practiced in Townsend and Missoula.
When were you first called to treat
Charles McCants?" asked Judge Bick-
ford.
0 December 2" replied the doctor.
rs this the same person concerning
whom the physicians testified on Satur-
day.
Yes" replied the witness.
He then described the symptoms Of
McCants' illness, which he said were
those OF lnclDlpnf nnp1mnnia
Did he have any symptoms of small
None whatever"
When did the eruption appear?"
ON the afternoon of the 3rd.'
What was the cause of the erun-
The administration of iodine"
What other medicine did you give
"Aconitine."
The doctor then went on to say hat
on December Z DR.. Moore and DIR. St.
examined McCants thoroughly and
in his diagnosis.
When did you first hear the assertion
the patient was suffering from
smallpox?' asked Judge Bedford,
On the morning of the 11th."
Did you receive any notice from the
health officer to the effect that McCants
was suffering from smallpox"
Il did not"
The doctor stated in reply to questions
that he had had considerable experience
in smallpox in Montreal, where he had
treated several hundred cases.
Have you had any conversation with
McCants in regard to the examination
of him by DR.. Alexander and DR.. Nc
Crimmon?"
The question was objected to as imma-
terlal. Judge Bickford stated that in JUS
tice TO his client. who had a subsequent
conversation with McCants, that the wit
ness be permitted to answer. The pur-
pose OF the line of questioning was to i'm
peach the testimony of DR.. Alexander
and DIR. McCrimmon. who testified. Satur.
day that McCant a told them he was
suffering from backache and headache
symptoms of smallpox.
Mr.. Lamb, the city attorney, then pro.
ceeded to read authorities in support o.
his objection. He did not believe, HI
said in dealing too recklessly in the repu.
tations Of men.
Judge Bickford commended that if tn,
city's witness were permitted to testify
as to what McCants said on Thursday.th tn,
defendant had the right to show what Nc,
Giants had said on Saturday.
The objection was overruled.
DR.. Hanson stated that McCants hai
denied to him. on Saturday night. that III
had tod DR.. Alexander or yon else h
was suffering from backache or headache