DOCTOR FORCED TO TELL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 212, 26 July 1939, Page 4

DOCTOR FORCED TO TELL

T lUTl'Tof IN CO CUT, When a married woman ot 20 was j summoned in Dradiord, Yorks, not . j Jong ago, Dr. Violet (deliver, who had attended her, said she-refused to give evidence, unless she was Jorced to do j se. ;; | ‘ What L liavc to tell.” she said, “was communicated to me in ton.ideuce in my professional capacity.” Air. W. Wood, ter the prosecution, said Dr. Clover appeared on sub- j poena. Alemhers oi the 'medical pirn*- . iessicji had no privilege in law. The magistrate said lie would' hear the other evidence ..first, and might} then allow Dr. Clover not to> testily,. CMJut you may he subpoenaed to attend tne tiial,” lie warned her, “amigj mat be’compelled -to give tlien. What will you do?” Dr. Glover replied. “I will wait.” : Pile lelt the witness-box and weirj outside the court. “If You insist” f ’ Alter the other witnesses had been ; heard Air. Wc.id said it would he help- j lul ii Dr. Clover gave evidence toe. j “Jr you insist, lam hound to order 1 her to do so.” said the magistrate, Dr. Ccddington, "hut L have great j sympathy with any doctor or priest fwho protests against- revealing public- -. I ly some confession. .made to them in -V •their pioressional capacity. 1 should he very, glad to see vho law altered.” Air. Wood said), “It would he a difficult position if every doctor refused t 6 give evidence.” ■ .ssaU- - ' Dr. 'Glover was them called, and Dr. Coddluigton said--To : her"' ‘‘The prosecution insist on calling you, and' my duty is to tell you, however much 1 may sympathise with you, that it is your 'duty in law to give what evi- l‘: deuce you have.” .. '{fi Plie then gave evidence. The woman-m* \ was eei in nit ted for trial. ■