{"id":12410,"date":"1895-09-28T18:49:00","date_gmt":"1895-09-29T02:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/library.consciencelaws.org\/?p=12410"},"modified":"2023-01-23T16:02:20","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T00:02:20","slug":"correspondence-a-question-of-conscience-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library.consciencelaws.org\/?p=12410","title":{"rendered":"(Correspondence) A Question of Conscience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

J Braxton Hicks<\/h4>\n\n\n
\n
\"British
British Medical Journal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Extract<\/strong>
In view, therefore, of our uncertainties and of our defective insight as to the present and of our absolute blindness as to the future I would say, that if we have the power of checking these abortions, it will be wise, and therefore right to exercise that power. And that we do possess by various means such a power, I have no doubt in a considerable number of cases. . . But the principle underlying our rule of action here discussed is of far wider application than to the case of abortions, for, if it be right to suspend treatment in what we guess to be Nature’s wisdom, so we should, in the event of Nature’s apparent failure, be wise in interfering in the opposite direction, and to this end adopt measures to cause and assist Nature to expel its contents, which we guess to be in a damaged condition; but this, my experience has shown, would in the long run be destructive of a considerable number of foetuses that might, for ought we know, have become ornaments and useful members of society. And so, how can we logically limit this principle to the treatment of abortions alone? Why not apply it to the newborn infant which to us seems to be ineligible to live, and in the poor morsel of being, described only too truly, why not refuse it succour; and why not assist it out of its troubles in a dream of euthanasia? and the limit cannot rest here; we must apply the principle through all medicine and surgery; and not least in mental diseases. Where can we stop?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Hicks JB. (Correspondence) A Question of Conscience<\/a>. Br Med J. 1895;2(1813):805-808. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

J Braxton Hicks ExtractIn view, therefore, of our uncertainties and of our defective insight as to the present and of our absolute blindness as to the future I would say, that if we have the power of checking these abortions, it will be wise, and therefore right to exercise that power. 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