South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-17
CHILD WOULD BE
BURDEN TO ALL
Local People Divided on QueS-
lion That Was Decided by
Chicago Mother.

a baby IS being permitted TO die in
Chicago. An operation would save It's
life. but according to the physician In
charge Of the case, the child would
lie an imbecile and likely a criminal.
Therefore he is going to let the
child die And the baby's mother has
given her approval
The question Of whether the plan TO
permit death 10 take a baby under
such circumstances was put TO several
prominent South Benders today and
here are some Of their answers:
Mrs. W. =. Miller-"They should
let the child die. There would be no
10Y OF living for the child. 1t would
be but a burden TO the state"
Miss Olive Bailey. Dispensary nurse
~ feel that because we never know
the outcome of such cases we should
do all in our power to give the child
life. We should do all we can and
leave the rest to Providence. There
are several cases on record here at
the diE9ensary OF children who will
never be really bright, but we take
every measure to give them chance
for life"
Mrs. Alma o. ware-"My mothers
heart would naturally say. While
there is life there is hope but my in
say let the little soul be freed from
such an outcome"
Rev. John NJ. Alexander, pastor Of
the First Christian church, believe
that a doctors advice in a case like
this would be more valuable than a
minister's, but If it were my own child
] would take the risk of an opera
tion.F
Rev. Henry L Davis, pastor Of the
FIRST Methodist Episcopal church
If the physicians are sure that the
child will be left an imSecile or a
criminal, L should say let the child
die In my Judgment, If II should
grow up to be a criminal, more harm
than good would be done. IL it should
DE an imbecile, II would be a burden
to itself as well as to society
DIR. Edgar II. Myers-~As to the con
crete question whether or not doc
tor should allow a child to live If I'M
doubtedlv an imbicile, IL seems folly
TO make an attempt at saving the life
If life IS saved, the question arises a:
to whether or not greater suffering re
suits than If nature was allowed to
take it's course"
DR.. C II. Myers agree with Or
John b. Murphy (noted Chicago spec
ialist In sugery) who says that we have
no right to form Judgment as &C
whether a, child should live or die
would not feel justified In contributing
to a death, as be says-however, il
might be better, though we can hardly
tell at so early an age what is TO be
done"
DR.. ]. 3. Berteling-"It is not with.
in our province 20 say whether a chile
should live or tie. But if the case i:
o monstrosity. and If imbecility Is sure
TO result, the physician is only passive
iy guilty. II by not doing anything
death will result naturally, whereas i
20 operate life can be sustained, bu
that life far from a normal one anC
one bound to prove burdensOTne to pa
rents, friends ard the state, 1 think tbs
doctor within his rights in doing a!
he did OF course, we can never tel
but that death would have resulted de
spite the operation. It is an open ques
lion and I have had no time for it,
consideration since reading Chicago
accounts Of the case. I do not know
the physician in question"