Article December 12, 1925 Issue

Kindly permit me to say a word in reference to the...

Peter B. Biggins, Committee on Publication for Alberta, Canada,—Edmonton

Journal

Kindly permit me to say a word in reference to the medical health officer's letter to the Journal, in which he refers to my statements regarding antitoxin. The basis of my remarks on this subject was the simple proposition that those who do not believe in the efficacy of antitoxin are entitled to refrain from its use. The soundness of this proposition was vindicated in a case tried at Gloucester, England, recently. A physician there, Dr. Hadwen, had given medical treatment to a girl who later passed a way, as alleged, with diphtheria. He would not administer antitoxin because, according to his testimony, it was "useless and dangerous." A charge of manslaughter was brought against him, but on October 29, 1924, the day of the trial at Gloucester assizes, the jury, after twenty minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of "not guilty." This case has attracted world-wide attention and interest.

It is a well-known fact that Christian Scientists are strictly law-abiding, but no law of Canada, so far as I am aware, declares the use of antitoxin to be compulsory. While Christian Scientists cannot accept the theories adopted by medical men,—many of which are cherished to-day and discarded to-morrow,—they give strong support to all reasonable and proper measures that promote and safeguard the public health.

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