KINDLY DOCTOR GUILLOTIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 4 June 1938, Page 16

KINDLY DOCTOR GUILLOTIN

Contrary to common belief, Dr Joseph Ignace Guillotin, whose bicentenary falls this year, did not invent the death-machine which is named after him. The specific instrument which has decapitated so many Frenchmen was the work of another, and for much of his life Dr Guillotin vigorously but vainly protested against the use of his name in such a sanguinary connection. He doubtless pointed out that the guillotine was not new, having been early used in Persia, France, Italy, and in Halifax, Yorkshire. The excellent and humane doctor was professor of anatomy and deputy at Paris. When the French Revolution and subsequent executions began he, from the softness of his heart, suggested the creation of a machine which would shorten the sufferings of thqse condemned to death. Such a machine was finally produced by a certain Dr Louis, and was first used in April, 1792, For some time the new instrument was called the “ Louison,” after its maker, but that label finally fell out in favour of “ Guillotine,” a name which has stuck to it ever since. Dr Guillotin himself was imprisoned during the Terror, and came near to suffering death from his namesake instrument. He was, however, released, and devoted his days until his death in 1814 to re-establishing and strengthening the French Academy of Medicine and in vainly protesting against the word ‘‘guillotine.”