The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-12
COMPEL DOCTORS
TO KILL PATIENTS
Bill Introduced in Iowa Legisla-
turc TO End Suffering of the
Hopelcssly I'll and Hurt.
PHYSICIAN DREW MEASURE
Says He Would Simply Make
Lawful What is Already
Practiced.
Especial to The TImes-plspatch)

(jpecial to The Times Dlspatch0
DIES MONIES. IOWA, March 11.--Lcga-
| lized compulsory murder to end the
miscry of those in great physical pain
and whose diseases or injuries must
prove fatal eventually, and TO prevent
the roaring OF children. who arc hdeout-
ly deformed or hopclessly idiotic. lis
proposed in a bill which has been intro
duced In the Iowa Assembly by Repre-
sentative r. N. Buckingham, ut the re-
quest OF DR.. II. II. Gregory. who repre-
sents Adams county In the House. DR..
Gregory expected to Introduce the bill
himself but was detained at home by
illness In his family.
"a till for an act requiring physicians
to th!.e human he is the title of the
proposed measure. as read with startling
effect this afternoon by the head read
ing clerk. 1t brought every member up
with start There was an instantane-
Gus turning of heads in the direction Of
the scat of the gentleman from Adams"
His absence prevented inquiries then. but
later Or. Gregory explained his bill.
What / propose for the relief of human
beings" he said, lis no more than you
ere now practicing in the exercise Of
humanity to dumb animals. friend OF
mine who suggested this bill to me, told
of a relative who had been paralyzcd for
three years, dying lingering death,
which Was as certain as IT. was slow.
How much more humane would ic bc for
n physician to adNAnister some anaes-
thetic to such n patient and painlessly
end all In few minutcs
80 also with those who are being eaten
nd hn
imbecilc or hideously dcformed or hope
lcssly diseased children that are born
every day, only to be burden to them
selves. to their family and TO the state
for tho remainder OF their lives. They
should be killed in infancy.
BESIDES. ] would simply make lawful
that which Ia already prac,iced by the
greatest physicians and surgeons In the
land. At tho risk of being convicted OF
murder. they often take human life sim
ply because they know 4, liz a mercy to
the patient aud his relatives. Every large
hospital is the scene of such murders
almost daily. 1t s n pity that the prac-
ticc is not moro extensive. My bill con-
tains every reasonable safeguard
According to DR.. Gregory's bill. any
person over ten years of age. II of sound
mind. must take the Initiative in request
ing that his life be taken by artificial
presses ruch desire shall then summon
two other reputable physicians and the
county coroner. The four shall hold n
consultation to determine II II IL possible
to save the patients life. how long life
may be prolonged. and to what extent
his suffering may be alleviated. II they
agree that death is inevitable and that
great mental ana physical pain must
characterize tho remainder of the pa
tents life. IL shall be their duty to APP
prise the nearest OF kin or guardian.
IF the latter agrees tn their proposal.
the proposed law requires the three ply
sicians and the corner to adminlste-
and anaestheiic until death elsres; then
to make "a verified report of their act To
the secretary OF the State board OF
health. The bill provides n heavy fine
for any physician who shrks his duty
under this law. and also prcscribes the
usual penalty for first degree murder
should they abuse II. Similar procedure
Is prescribed for killing idiots. infants
and insane. save that the next of kin.
instead of the patient himself. must take
the Initiative.