CRIME AND THE SURGEON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1712, 15 May 1917, Page 3

CRIME AND THE SURGEON.

A PENDING OPERATION. The treatment of prisoners with the view of their reformation is a subject which has engaged the serious attention of the Hon. J. A. Hamm, .Minister for .Justice. Hitherto there has been no instanfe in the Dominion of the use of surgery for the elimination of physical disabilities which might have caused criminal aids in the person suffering therefrom. Mr Hamm has now, however, obtained the consent of bis colleagues on Urn Cabinet (o a surgical operation being performed upon the skull of a youth at presold undergoing a long sentence on a charge of al tempted murder. For some years past the alienists of Italy, and latterly, also, (host! of America, have been operating for cranial bone pressure, brain adhesions. and similar defects, with Hie result, it is claimed, that persons formerly abnormal, or prone to commit criminal acts, have been restored to normality and to useful citizenship. Having satisfied himself that, in the ease under notice, there was a fair chance of an equally successful result, (be Minister made bis recommendation to the Cabinet, ami Hie operation is to take place early this week. The prisoner in question is HI years of age, and his offence was committed about three years ago. Mr Hamm’s attention having been drawn to evidences of abnormality in the youth, and to comments 1 hereon by the Chief Just ice, Sir Robert Stout, the prisoner was subjected to X-ray treatment. The resultant photograph is understood !«> have disclosed a thickening of Hie occipital bone, causing a pressure on Hie brain. This condition, to which lie attributed the youth’s past acts. Hie surgeon slated could be cured by trephining. At the request of the boy’s parents Hie Minuter lias consented to this operation.