SHOULD DOCTORS TELL THE TRUTH?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18208, 15 July 1927, Page 4

SHOULD DOCTORS TELL THE TRUTH?

LONDON, June 25. Tlio hoary enigma, “Should a doctor tell ? ” is being freshly discussed by the Medical and Legal Society, which is attended by distinguished doctors and j urists. Dr ilalliday Sutherland told a story of a consumptive patient who was mysteriously languishing as a result of a second ailment. The doctor in attendance concluded that the man was Leing given arsenic, and suspected the patient’s wife, but he feared to inform the police owing to the tremendous responsibility. At last he asked the wife, “Who prepares your husband’s food?”; The wife’s terror convinced him that she was guilty, and after that the sickness ceased. Another doctor refused to tell the police when a patient of his attempted to commit suicide, because he would be hindered in his recover}'. Sir William Collins, M.D., declares that it was often wise not to tell a patient that he suffered from cancer. Lord Justice Sir Richard Atkin, who presided, expressed the opinion that a doctor was morally bound to tell a patient the truth.