B.M.A.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 July 1924, Page 7

B.M.A.

PROTECTION SOUGHT FOR DUCTUKS. BY CABLE—PBESB ASSOCIATION—COPY EIGHT LONDON, July 20. The annual meeting ot tne British Medical Association, probably as a' consequence ef the rl case, / adopted a resolution that a provision i be made so that a certificate given unVvder the Lunacy Act by a medical practitioner shoulu have the legal status of testimony given in a law court, not rendering a practitioner liable to civil or criminal pioceedings unless it contained statements proved to be inaccurate and made wilfully and deliberately. Harnett, a well-to-do farmer, sued Dir. Rond, lunacy commissioner, and Dr. Adam, keeper of an asylum, claiming damages for unlawful detention for nine years at the instance of Harnett’s wife qnd brother, against whom another case is pending. The: case lasted sixteen days. A, number of gave evidence that plaintiff was easily excited, deeply interested in religion, had delusions about his wife and persecution, and also was desirous of• instructing girls and boys on sex matters.at adolescence. At the end of the evidence the At-torney-General, who defended Dr. Rond, admitted'that Harnett was not a lunatic during the latter part of his confinement. It was obvious that things entered as delusions were not always delusions. He added that this case gave cause for very great anxiety. The jury awarded Harnett £25,000 damages—£2o,ooo against Drs Bond and Adam jointly, and £SOOO against Dr. Bond. An appeal was later lodged against” the verdict.