The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-17

BuotIOos
Near the i..fant boy lies his mother.
Who relies on the wisdom OF the surgeon
and says resiynedly:
-rve given the doctor permission 10
DO as he wishes with my boy. don't
want baby TO live. | want him to die.
Dying now is better than living with n
crippled brain and body. wouldn't
visit such suffering upon myself or my
husband and surely not upon my very
ewn child"
DR. Haiselden. upon being interviewed
regarding the case. frankly admitted
that he could save the infants life by
an operation. but that he does not wish
the child TO add its weight to the already
large burden OF detectives In the world.
I'm answerable to my own con-
science" said Dr. Haiseiden. THE little
boys physical flaws. which consist of IL
number Of rather unusual ailments,
would undoubtedly make him an invalid
euring his first year and probably a
detective later. II an operation were per-
formed to save his life.
And 90 I'm doing what the parents
nsvs given me the option Of doing and
what 1t would take a pretty stin argu-
ment to keep me from doing. I'm al
lowing nature to take her course with
the boy. We are feeding him some.
The child is sensible only TO discomfort.
There is no brain development 10 regis
Ter suffering. And pretty soon nature
Will make blank her mistake"
You do not call this taking a human
\ lte?" was asked.
Absolutely not" replied the surgeon.
Many say arbitrarily that life is life
end should he preserved. no matter what
- cost. but / can't see the argument
!. IN the vast debt which would accrue in
bt 81
~ II having been given this case to
decide should allow the child to live
would consider myself guilty against the
race A. II IL l consider this a favor
to the race
DO you think what you are doing is
frequently done?"
Many Precedents.
Many times--but quietly. Many
wings 20 on in the medical world which
gre done solely for good. but which
night be condemned by so-called moral
sts and self-named social saviors
nave even taken the steriliza tion OF sub
normal girls and boys into my own
hahds-of course with the parents per-
mAs'on--and l know ] have been right
In so doing"
What makes you 20 fearless about
eonfessng it,"
I'm conscious OF no fearlessness.
~ feel I'm right. That's all. What
more can any human being do trying
'or conscientiousness In duty?"
III you had been called in to attend
mis- child, SAY at the age Of or s. a
any age where he would know his suf
ierlng, would you do the same thini
uhder the same circumstances? wal
asked
Or Haiselden though moment and
answered Let's put II this way II
ti nature do her best to save the child
Ahd could, of course. give something
10 quiet the pain"
Do you know Of any cases wherein
= physicians have given drugs which hav'
caused IN. death of the sufferer"
Il know Of cases OF disease for whicl
mere could be no hope of cure.
know OF such "A case in which the ply
s!cian, having given half a grain OF NOR
ph'ne TO subdue frightful pain, took
chsnc" at either the relief or temporar,
rhconsclousness by administering an
other half grain, or death-and dealt
Won, But the physician did not pur
posely cause death. He could not tel
"hal the drug would do"
Case Causes a stir.
News Of the programme with regar'
hnspia, raused furry among tn
nembers Of the Anti-Cruelty League an,
o. the Illinois Humane Society. both o
winch organizations are strong in Chi
ago. Informal meetings were held ant
we position the respective leagues shoul'
axe was discussed.
Ihredts OF court action were hinte
~ hui the reporters were surprised I
NceNe early in the evening mild state
neh' by George A. Scott, secretary @
we Illinois Humane Society. who wa
,,aln 10 I've speaking for both OF tn
"1man' ORGANIZATIONS
MS statement puts the two associa
Hohs IN line with DR.. Haiselden. Othe
members Of the Illinois Humane Societ
supported Mr.. SCOTS statement. excel
ua' some considered II should not b
ne prerogative Of one doctor to decid
shat persons should die as DETECTIVES
Nv Nv That a board should be appointe<
nowever. the stan at the German Amer
.ah Hospital was considered by som
"a sufficiently expert board for a
purposes of humanity. and law.
~. SCOTS statement follows:
A.. we lind no law that can compel pal
uA's or any one else to have an opers
ION performed on child, But In cas-
mlnort operation TO improve tn
usa''h OF II child. there Is a law. Sine
~ child is In hospital In this II
,,ahce and is being fed and attende,
A'ere II no cruelty attached.
4. as TO the question whether the III