WILFUL DEATH TO EASE SUFFERING
Received Tlrursday, 7 p.m. LONDON, May 22. Dr. E. A. Barton, who has practised for 40 years at Kensington, told a Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation Society meeting at London that he was not ashamed to say that he had taken a patient's life. Dr. Barton said: * ' we are extremeiy cautious m shouldering this responsibility but medical friends have-confessed to me ■ that they had to give way to a patient's cries for mercy. We know stich things are done but they are not done legally. It is the wilful shortening of a life and there is an ugly name for it." " Dr. Barton said voluntary euthanasia must be legalised because one set of shoulders could uot carry the responsibility. The society decided to reintroduce the Bill into the House of Lords at an early date. Dr. Barton told the^Daily Express: "I have put men out of their misery more than once and I know other doc- - tors who have done the same. we. all know euthanasia is practised but few doctors dare mention it outside their pr>iession." Dr. Barton retired 15 years ago. The General Medical Oouncil said last night that ''no cases of -euthanasia have been' reported to us. We take no action against a doctor unless complaints are made."
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Chronicle (Levin), 23 May 1947, Page 5
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214WILFUL DEATH TO EASE SUFFERING Chronicle (Levin), 23 May 1947, Page 5
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