AN AMERICAN JUDGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 59, 24 October 1911, Page 4

AN AMERICAN JUDGE.

Of the many strange rulings of the American Bench probably none is more unusual than that of a 3‘ittsbrrg judge who has given a decision regarding,a surgical operation on a child which creates a great deal of discussion both as to its logal’tv and its propriety. The case was that of a little girl, live years of age, whose legs were' so bowed that she could scarcely walk. Judge Davis, sitting in juvenile chambers, decreed that the child shall go to the hospital, and have an operation performed to straighten her legs. The child’s father, who is a labouring man, immediately protested against the judgment, and declared that he would not give his consent to the operation. It was shown that it would bo necessary to break the child’s legs and place them in plaster casts, and neither .of the girl’s parents is willing that this should he done. Despite this fact Judge Davis issued the order, aftci two physicians had assured him that the operation was not a dangerous one. The judge ordered the father to hold his peace, but the latter declares that he will appeal against this aribitary decision of the courts.