The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-23
Remarkable Plan Outlined by
RoV. Merle St. c. Wright
SUGGESTED IT TO DOCTORS
Stated, However, That From an Ethical
Stand point That Enthanasla Was
Just Z Dream.

New York. Oct. 2s-"where the pro-
longation of life is simply the prolong-
alton OF hopeless agony 1t seems to me
that II would be proper that such a pa
tient should quietly. decently, modcstly
be allowed to end the suffering. 1t seems
TO me that such a course would be "A
step forward In civilization and 4 step
further away from the barbarians."
In these words the Rev. Merle St c.
church. placed himself on record wednes-
day night as favoring "euthanasia,"
which In medical parlance is the putting
OF incurables to death. The suggestion
was made before the New York State
Medical association, which held It's an
nual dinner at the Hotel Manhattan last
night. and while IL caused much su-prise
because of its source. II was received none
the less with hearty applause.
Mr.. Wright had previously suggested
that doctors ought really TO teach their
patients more than they do, and that they
might look upon their professions h little
more from the ethical STANDPOINT. yer
haps. But when he got TO the subJec. OF
enthauasia he admitted franly that It
was simply dream.
AS a dream. however he had no hesi-
called one instance In which a mans life
had been saved after n disaster at Spuy-
ten Duyvil, and he said:
GET A PERMIT TO DIE.
''They did save his life. though for
what practical purpose I cannot tell, un-
less. possibly, for a damage suit. l ap-
preciate the practical difficulties In the
way OF application OF the doctrine, but
It seems to me that IL Is not beyond the
bounds OF possibility. OF course. IL would
be necessary to have the advice and ap-
proval Of men OF the highest scientific at
tainment
The city might be dvided-fnto districts,
and every application should be consid-
cred most carefully, not merely by ply
sicians but by some eminent clergymen
selected for the purpose. and, Of course
there should be consent OF relatives and
the consent. even the request, of the pa
tient himself.
But where all these conditions are full
filed and where the prolongation of life
Is simply the prolongation OF hopeless
agony II seems to me that It would be
proper that such a patient should quietly.
decently. modestly be allowed TO end the
suffering. II seems to me such a course
would be a step forward in civilization
and a step farther away from barbar-
ISM"
As soon as II had been perceived What
Mr.. Wright was aiming at there was a
quick buzz OF conversation all over the
banquet hall and the speaker listened
20 with most intense interest TO the end
OF his address. When he had finished his
statement on the subject there was
burst OF applause. in which, however per-
haps not more than one-third of the
physicians present took part
One of the speakers after Mr.. Wright
was John 8. Wise. Whether or not he
simed TO give a peculiar rebuke to the
clerical address which he had just listened
to. he devoted part of his address TO
showing how the professions OF law and
close TO the sufferings OF human nature.
led them TO believe IN Dowie Providence
Before taking up that item, however. he
had answered Mr.. Wright's argument for
enesanania in humorous way which
brought uproarous APPLAUSE.