Illustrations of medical evidence and trial by jury in Scotland.

Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Illustrations of medical evidence and trial by jury in Scotland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/66 (page 12)
    observe the least opposition made to any part of my examination. In fact, Mr Syme’s clerk was very communicative and courteous, and the nurse was civil and attentive. Having obtained all the in¬ formation required, I returned to the office and reported the state of the boy to the Superintendent, and, at the request of Mr Lothian, granted the usual certificate. On referring to the minute of the Board of 8th Nov. 1847, de¬ fining the duties of Police Surgeon, your Lordship will observe that, in examining and reporting on the injured party, I acted in the dis¬ charge of a duty imposed upon me by the second regulation, viz., u To visit all persons reported to have been assaulted or otherwise in¬ jured, whose eases become the subject of judicial investigation, and to report whether the injuries sustained are of such a dangerous nature as to render it necessary for a magistrate being called to take his or her deposition, or whether, from the injuries being of a less serious nature, the accused party, if in custody, may be admitted to bail.” Note.—£‘It will be the duty of the surgeon, in all cases in which it appears to him necessary that the deposition of the injured party should be taken, to give immediate notice to the Superintendent, or superior officer on duty at the time.” I need not trouble your Lordship or the Board with any remarks relative to that part of Mr Syme’s letter, which has been submitted to the Lord-Advocate, further than to mention that I have the authority of the Procurator-Fiscal (Mr Lothian) and the Superin¬ tendent (Mr Linton) to state that the steps taken in this case were not only in conformity to the usual practice, but absolutely neces¬ sary for the ends of public justice.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your most obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. Glover. Four Lordship will observe that the statements in Mr Syme’s letters are quite contrary to the facts of the case; and that he has not only been misled by erroneous or partial information, but labours under an entire misapprehension of the object of my visit, and of the certificate complained of. That object was, as stated in the preceding letter, simply to ascertain whether life was in danger in consequence of the injury; and, if so, whether the boy was in a fit state to emit a declaration. The personal examination I made, and the certificate granted, were all that could be required for such a purpose. Had proceedings followed, requiring a detailed report