PROFESSIONAL SECRECT.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1928, Page 3

PROFESSIONAL SECRECT.

Dr Vernon Davies, in the House of Commons, raised yet again tlio muelidehated <|tieslion of tin* professional secrecy of the medical man. The other day Mr .Justice McCardic ruled tint a doctor had no privilege in the l.avv Courts; no especial law lorhade him (as it does lawyers) to say what he knew of a client if evidence was demanded in the public interest. And the Judge who demanded evidence in this ease admitted the moral obligation upon the doctor to keep his clients' stcrets. There is no clear issue. On the one side, one tears to sacrifice the well are ot the State in seeing justice done to the interests ot an individual ; turther. if the tear ot discredit is the reason for secrecy, one may he sacrificing the State to an unworth*. individual. It is scandalous that justice should miscarry for lack of evidence, (in the other hand, we have heroine so accustomed to rely upon prolessiouai secrecy, and it. is so clearly desirable as a general rule, that the relations between patient and doctor would hero almost impossible if this confidence were shaken of broken It is a bard problem, and perhaps ,t. is best that the Judges should decide it as it arises in court.— The " .Manchester (Juardian.”