New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-02
FASTENED SONS DEATH
IN MERCY, SAYS DOCTOR
lonatz l.. Nascher, Apostle OF
Long Life, UphoIds Eutha-
naSia in Certain Cases.
fROWNED UPON BY LAW
Human Existence Sacred from
Legal Point Of View-Mrs.
Harris's Appeal Wide
ly Discussed.

AER6A O@.~
Harris's Appeal Wide
ly Discussed.
The case Of Mrs. Sarah Harris, the
tbirty-three years old paralytic, who
beeged the state, through the newspa-
pers. to put an end to her misery
through chloroform or other adequate
means. continued to create discussion
In medical and legal circles yesterday.
Opinions as to whether her request
sheuld be granted differed widely, with
proninent authorities ranged on both
sides of the question.
Clark Bell, president Of the Medico-
Legal Society, speaking on the subject
from the legal point of view, said that
the law regarded human life as sacred.
The only times at which a man was
permitted TO take life with impunlty
was In self-defence or in defence of Il
helpless person. If two men were on
raft AT sea which would support onl"
one. Mr.. Bell said. the stronger would
be justified in pushing the weaker or
10 save his own life.
some doctors think" said the law
YER that they have the right 10 choose
between the life Of the mother AMI
that of the child in childbirth, but
they have absolutely no such right.
The law protects the mother in such
q case. as the more valuable TO SO
ciety. They may use every reasonable
mea IS 10 keep the child alive. but they
musr be sure that the mothers life is
not needlessly endangered"
Has Employed Euthanasia.
One doctor arguing in favor OF Gu
,bsnasia. remarked that he had made
use Of II in the case Of his own son.
II administered morphine 10 my own
son three years ago. when he was in
tho last stages Of tuberculosis. said
DR.. ISnatz L. Nascher, OF No. COL
East 16Sth street, last night. When
II became a question Of hours or days.
and he was suffering intense agony IN
his efforts to breathe, ! gave him the
drug though / knew that in so 10
ing would shorten his life.
Existence might have been pro-
longed a little by allowing him to suf-
fer. but | do not believe in prolonsing
life where death is inevitable within a
few davs or hours and where the pa
tient is undergoing great physical pain.
In such cases / think euthanasia JUS
tifable."
Or. Nsscher, IN spite OF his rigorous
views on this subject, is an advocate OF
long life when that life is healthy and
strong. He is said 10 be the only au-
thor.ty In this country on geriatics, as
The study Of old age is technically
known. and his life work is to prolong
life end make old age happy. He is
special lecturer on his subject at Ford
ham University, the Boston College or
Physicians and Surgeons and the Ben
nett Medical College. at Chicago.
Only Two Occasions.
When a patient. however, Is endur-
ing intense physical agony from an IN
curable disease. DR.. Nascher thinks, the
only humane thing 10 do is TO reIeNe
him of existence. But he would en-
ploy this relief in only two classes OF
disea.e-cancer and hydrophobia. All
other kinds Of disease he holds 10 pe
curablc. When cures have been found
for these two he believes II VIII be tine
70 discontinue the practice Of eutha-
nasla
II have seen cures OF paralysis" Or.
Narcher went on last evening, ana
therefore do not think il would be
right TO chloroform Mrs. Harris. Her
suffering is evidently more mental than
physical and 7 do not think any form
Of mental suffering sufficiently severe
10 warrant the use Of enthanasia. Men
ial suffering is durable, and therefore
comes under the head Of hopeful cases.
To allow euthanasia under such cir
cumstances would be granting free rein
TO suicide.
Tuberculosis is durable, and II q
only in the final stage that the admin
istration Of opiates is permissible. MY
boy caught the disease when camping
with his regiment, and ! made use or
the morphine only as last resort. AS
yet, however. we have no cure FOR
cancer or hydrophobia.
DR.. Nsscher advocated the appoint
ment Of commissions TO pass on each
kind Of disease They should he en-
tirely separated from politics, he said,
snd appointed by virtue of their knowl-
edge Of the special disease on which
'hey were TO pass.
Opposed by Or. Macdonald.
Dr. Carlos Il. Macdonald, former
president Of the New York State Com
mission in Lunacy and one of the fore
most alienists in the country, Is siren
uousy opposed TO the introduction Of
eutnanasia, except it be surrounded by
the strictest safeguards. Even then
ne believes 1t should be employed only
On 'ne order Of court of competent
Jur'soieuon' ct the request OF a patient
NHo iui'y realizes its import He die
a,ed the following statement to The
ffe1A