CONSENT TO OPERATE.

Mataura Ensign, 24 May 1909, Page 3

CONSENT TO OPERATE.

SUtGKON AXD I'AHLXT. A juclgnu-Ht delivered l»y the Supreme Court of tlit* Empire »t Berlin thai ;«n operation performed on n patient without his consent or without the rmiseni of ]jis legal guardians oonMitutes a criminal oltcnee has given rise to indigmuit protest., .inuui'i; the German medical profession. The principal nj' tin* iieriin rniversity. Judicial Councillor Dr. Kahi, declares thai an operation ought not io 1)0 performed againM lite will of an adult patient who in lull posM-ssion of his mental faculties, hut that in a large number oi eases n is ahsnluieit impossible to obtain thi* consent »\in!e pressing dauber exi-.t:-. Dr. Kalii declares t}t;ii any surgeon who besitaics to operate in ca>e; vtueh demand immediate operation wou< 1 lie guilty of a grave moral oifene« jf ho allowed himself U he influenced !y th»> fear that. he might suhx «jnent Iy he punished for inflicting maliciou* liodily iujurv on ;i sick person. Many other strong criticisms on tin.' verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court havo been published by other, prominent member, of tin* medical profession.