Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-21
EUTHANAS|A OPPOSED
Philadelphia Physicians Against
Fastening Death.
DANGER IN PROPOSED LAW
Would Give to Doctors Power Of Life
and Death.
CONTRARY TO THEIR OATHS
Advocates Of Practice Would Soon Be
Without Notwithstanding
Which is Not Desired.
CONTRARY TO THEIR 0ATHS


practice Of euthanasia. or Fastening death
| in cases Of extreme suffering. will not re-
ceive the countenance Of leading Pennsyl-
| vania physicians and surgeons during the
present generation. and that any legislative
| measure looking to the legalizing Of such
practice will lie overwhelmingly defeated.
was the opinion expressed yesterday by
prominent local practitioners.
There are numerous individual cases
where the agonies of persons suffering from
incurable diseases. and whose tenure OF
life at best is only a few hours, appar-
emily justify the application of drugs Tn
surfing a painless death, contended the med
ical men. but as long as vitality endures 1t
is the duty Of the physician to work for his
patients recovery-medical Jurisprudence
and moral laws leaving no discretion In the
matter.
This opinion was expressed about the case
of Mrs. Lottie Waliau of New York. who is
now confined to the Tombs. charged with
numbering her mother. Mrs Ida Binge, by
administering to her doses Of btchloride Of
mercury. Mrs. Binge was dying of cancer,
and her suffering was so great that she re-
peatedly requested her physicians. nurses
and members of her family to end her mis-
cry. demanding that euthanasia be prac-
ticed in her case as a measure OF mercy.
1t is the belief of the New York district at
torney that Mrs. Wallau. unable to bear
the sight Of her mothers increasing ago
MES, finally yielded to her pleading and
gave her the bichloride of mercury or else
left the poison within easy access. thus per-
hitting the afflicted woman to commit sui
eide.
Would Lose Practice.
All Of the physicians interviewed were re-
luctant to make any statement for publi-
cation on the subject of euthanasia. al
though most of them expressed much SYM
pathy for the accused woman, and seemed
inclined to think that circumstances greatly
mitigated her offense. The general feeling
was that any physician. no matter how
thoroughly his reputation as a healer and
humanitarian was established, who would
declare himself in favor of putting to death
q suffering patient, although no reasonable
doubt of possible recovery existed. would
only are most religious bodies emphatically
opposed to euthanasia. but the prejudice
against such potential practice Is so general
that 1t Is not to be thoughtNof except in
speculations as to the drift and progress of
the medical and surgical sciences.
That in many cases Of extreme suffering
it has been the duty Of physicians to admin
lister anesthetics for the relief of pain which
have FASTENED a merciful death was admit
ted In such extremities. 1t was pointed out
the practitioner has no option. He must do
all in his power or knowledge to alleviate
suffering and render as pafn-free as possible
the last moments of the dying. But the adj
ministration of anesthetics, toxfnes or mar
cotics with the deliberate intent Of produce
ing or speeding death was not to be consid-
cred. no matter how humane: the OBJECT;
speaking for the physicians of Phila-
delphia," said DR.. T. G. Aston of South
Rittenhouse square, II may say that eu-
thanasia is not practiced here as yet. Fur
thermore, do not think any legislative ac-
ton, were any contemplated. granting le-
gal right to physicians to practice eutha-
nasia at their discretion would be at all
wise. Such measure would be certainly
subjected to criminal abuse misuse
through ignorance.
Contrary to Pledges.
Another thing to bear in mind is that
physicians and surgeons could not possibly
practice euthanasia and abide by the oath
which Is administered to US on admission
to practice.
IT admit that there are occasions when it
would seem nothing less than an act Of
mercy to terminate by painless methods
the intense agonies of a person whose death
is but q question of moments: but the old
adage, While there is life there is hope is
a truism, and the medical profession must
abide by 1t.
Dr. Samuel W. Morton of 1898 Chestnut
street, was equally pronounced in his argu-
ments against euthanasia.
1--WE must set aside those rare individual
cases wherein it's practice would seem to be
humanitarian blessing, and discuss the
subject broadly he said. Suppose the
state of Pennsylvania were to enact law
legalizing the practice Of euthanasia. would
it not place responsibilities of utmost grav
ity in the hands of physicians and sur
geons? 1t would virtually be giving them
the power of life or death over their pa
tients of course all in the interests Of
mercy, yet power readily liable to great
abuse
There are as great discrepancies in the
skill and knowledge of practitioners as exist
in all other professional walks. One medical
man may decide that the condition Of all
agonized sufferer Is hopeless. and therefore
subject to the practice Of euthanasia.
whereas another may hold emphatically
contrary views. Who, then, shall decide?
"As medical science progresses. diseases
which formerly were considered incurable
yield to treatment based on newly acquired
knowledge. Suffering which at one time
was without alienation Is eradicated by |
newly discovered remedies or new methods |
of surgery. Thus you will see how difficult |
becomes the problem of a proper practice |
Of euthanasia."