Court Opinion

ID: 9673813
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:18:51.148849+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:24.254081
License: Public Domain

DISSENTING OPINION
NORVELL, Justice.
As a general rule, the cause, diagnosis, progress and treatment of disease are matters in which we must rely upon the opinions of medical experts. However, this rule is not universal in its application. I think it can be said as a matter of common knowledge that one suffering with some well-known acute disease such as smallpox, diphtheria or typhoid fever is not in good health. In Travis Life Insurance Company v. Rodriguez, 326 S.W.2d 256 (Tex.Civ.App.1959, writ ref’d. n. r. e., 160 Tex. 182, 328 S.W.2d 434), it was held as a matter *908of common knowledge that a person suffering from leukemia is not in good health. As to epilepsy of the most serious type, see, Texas Prudential Insurance Co. v. Dillard, 158 Tex. 15, 307 S.W.2d 242 (1957). Other examples of both acute and chronic diseases coming within the range of common knowledge might be given. Cf. Lincoln Income Life Ins. Co. v. Mayberry, 162 Tex. 492, 347 S.W.2d 598 (1961).
In my opinion, the evidence in this case shows conclusively that at the time of the delivery of the policy sued upon, Paul D. Britton was suffering with angina pectoris due to arteriosclerosis and that his chest pains at times were so severe that it was necessary for him to take nitroglycerin tablets in order to dilate the coronary arteries so that the blood could flow more easily and thus supply oxygen to the heart muscle. Admittedly, the term “good health” as used in life policies such as that issued to Mr. Britton is a relative one, but in my opinion, it is a matter of common knowledge that any person suffering from angina to the extent that it is necessary to take a powerful drug in order to dilate the blood vessels cannot be said to be in “good health”. The Oxford Universal Dictionary defines the term “angina” or “angina pectoris” as, “A dangerous disease, marked by sudden and severe pain in the lower part of the chest, with a feeling of suffocation; called also, breast-pang, heart-stroke, and spasm of the chest.”
A perusal of the discussion of judicial notice contained in McCormick and Ray, Texas Law of Evidence (2d Ed.) §§ 151 to 211, inclusive, demonstrates that the field is an expanding one and I think the judicial notice device may be safely exercised in the present case. See McCormick and Ray, supra, § 197. I would reverse the judgments of the lower Courts and render judgment for the petitioner. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.
GRIFFIN and HAMILTON, JJ., join in this dissent.