DR GOODE'S CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 53, 27 March 1909, Page 6

DR GOODE'S CASE.

PRISSS CRITICISM, We are not going to split hairs 011 the legal aspect of Dr. Cloode's trial. Thai he committed murder in the ordinary sense of the word is plain to everybody. That he may have been mad at the time is possible, but if the testimony of a dying woman is to be believed Dr. CJoode's action was that of a lustful brute of whom the world would have been well rid had lie succeeded *O. taking his own life (says the 'Eltham Argus). However, the episode, so far as Dr. OSoodc is concerned, is closed, but tho evidence placed on record is something to ponder j over. We had fondly imagined that the I days of drunken doctors being allowed to practice had gone past. In years gone by we have known 01 people m bark block settlements who were at the mercy of drunken sots, and many an unfortunate patient, women especially, has been butchered by such men. But u did not think it was possible at the pre<eut time that a drunken madman could be allowed to practice the noble profession of a doctor and not be "called to order'' by someone. If there are n<> means by such a frightful condition of affairs can be prevented then it is time some means were devised. The medical profesison, it seems to w, strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. They are ready to join in a crusade against the man who purveys patent medicines ; they anathematise the chemist who ventures to prescribe ; they are prepared to erucify the individual who practices as a medical man without having taken all his degrees ; they squabble like Kilkenny cats over petty points o\ qnelte. Now what are they going to do about drunken doctors '! If a drunken doctor (or sober one) kills a patient by unskilful treatment there is no redress; he is licensed to kill, and this is bad for Hie public. Fortunately the drunken doctor is rare, hut he is not extinct. Tin 1 medical fraternity should have some means of dealing ~*vUli tbo.se who by drunken habits bring disgrace on a noble profession and place people's lives in danger.