Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-09-25
MEDICAL DEFENSIVE UNION,


The Medical Record discusses editor
tally the advlsabillty OF forming a med
teal defense union one Of the reasons
given for the urgency Of such an organ
ization IL the fact that the medical pro-
fesslon has many difficulties with which
10 contend. and especially do the mem-
bers thereof labor under disadvantages
In defending malpractice suits. An ac-
ton Of this description. says the
Record. does not only affect the physl-
clan concerned. but the entire frater-
nifty. This being 80, It is reasonable TO
expect that every effort viii be put
forth by the accused 20 win his suit, as
he is as a matter Of fact, lighting In the
interests Of the medical profession,
But" the Record continues. "unfor-
tunatoly It often happens that the
money necessary 10 employ the best
measures 10 insure success is lacking
and that consequently lrreparable In
Jury Is done to physicians throughout
the country"
To remedy this It Is proposed to or
ganlze a mutual association, the mem
bershlp Of which shall be confined TO
those who belong 10 a state or some
properly organized medical society. This
association Is "a undertake the defense
Of cases Of alleged malpractice, when
ever such cases have been favorably
passed upon by committee appointed
for the purpose OF investigating the
merits OF the case a similar organlza-
ton seems 70 be In existence IN Great
Britain, and It Is presumed It is much
needed in this country
II would perhaps not be entirely pro-
per for laymen 10 discuss matter Of
immediate interest to the medical fra
ternlty, but a question Is naturally sug-
pested by the proposition made, and
that Is whether such an association
would not in some degree reflect ON the
courts and juries Of the land. Suppose
the union formed and an accused mem
Der given the funds needed FOR his de-
Tense; would that not be tanta.
mount 70 saying This man
Is innocent but unless he has
plenty OF money. he Is likely to be con-
demned as a malefactor; unless he has
money. there is no sure way Of estab-
fishing his innocence" Is this reason
ing sound? Is Il a fact that justice
in this country must be bought? Is
It a fact that poor men have not before
the courts an equal chance with the
rich men?
II so, It would seem necessary TO
form organizations for defense by
other fraterniues as well as the medi-
cal The iolners, the masons, the
printers, the tailors, etc, should all
consider that an accusation Of one
Of their members is a reflection upon
the brotherhood to which he may be-
long. Especially is this the case, II
he Is a member Of a religious organic
alton The escapades OF ministers. for
instance, are sure 20 reflect dlscredlt
on that fraternity. Would It be advls-
able Tor all such to have defensive uu-
ions for the purpose Of championIng in
the courts any member that may have
urgent business there2
II there Is some defect IN our iuris-
prudence by which the poor are dis
eliminated against In favor OF those
who command the dollars, that de-
feet should be remedied. There
should be no necessity IN this country,
as It is whore tyrants rule, TO have
sums Of gold to throw in the balances
Of justice. IN order 20 make It incline
In favor Of innocence.
There Is an impression that gold
sometimes has the effect Of opening
the door Of escape to guilty parties
but no association should be formed
for the purpose Of defending crime no
reputable member Of any fraternity
would consider a proposition to do so,
Tor a single moment