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Julia Lathrop Fights Decision On Baby's Death

From: Dr. Haiselden And The Bollinger Baby
Creator: n/a
Date: November 18, 1915
Publication: The Chicago Daily Tribune
Source: Available at selected libraries


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Head of Children's Welfare Bureau Says Even Mental Defective Has Right to Live

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Washington, D.C., Nov. 17 ---special- -- Officials and citizens of Washington today expressed divergent opinions on the decision of Mrs. Anna Bollinger of Chicago to permit her defective child to die.

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Miss Julia Lathrop, chief of the federal children's bureau, condemned the decision of the mother as well as that of the attending physician. Miss Lathrop added that the child should be cared for in a public institution.

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"The wretched creatures one sees in institutions for mentally defective makes one realize the tremendous problem presented by this Chicago case," she said. "But I believe it is better for the living to take care of them through special guardians in proper institutions. Having such children in the home makes a terrible burden on the family.

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"It seems almost unspeakable that a mother should desire the death of a child even it is be helplessly defective."

Tells of Similar Case
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Mrs. Court F. Wood, president of the District Federation of Women's Clubs holds a view similar to Miss Lathrop's.

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"I believe the Chicago physician is doing the wrong thing, because I know of a similar case here in Washington." Mrs. Wood said, "only in this instance the infant's life was saved and it is now, if anything, a little above the normal.

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"In this case the doctor at the time of the child's birth called the father aside and asked him if the child should be allowed to live. He told the physician to do everything possible for it. That was seven years ago and the father has done so much for the child and has had it treated so skillfully that no one would know today that it was a defective at birth.

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"I realize that the problem of defective children is a most vital one, but I believe that we should handle it by taking steps to prevent their propagating and to keep them out of the world. But when they are born, I should say to give them all the care possible."

Dr. Wiley Remains Neutral
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Dr. Harvey W. Wiley said that as a scientist he was inclined to believe the parent's course was one of wisdom. He said he would dislike to be placed in the position of having to decide the matter, if a parent, however.

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"As a eugenist and philanthropist, I would let the child die, perhaps as a parent I would let it live," said Dr. Wiley. "I doubt though if it is possible to tell whether a baby is mentally defective when it is only five days old."

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"I think in such cases as this the physician should be allowed to use his discretion," said Mrs. L. V. Swormstedt, former president of the Washington College Women's club. "When he is sure that the child will be a burden to itself and the community, there is no reason for him to prolong its life. It is a sad thing, of course, but the problem is one that should be solved wisely."

Views of Health Officer
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Dr. W. C. Woodward, the District of Columbia health officer, said that the mother's decision to place the child in the hands of the physician is evidence of the opening of a new era.

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"The fact that a mother who turned such a case over to the judgment of the physician, even to the extent of abiding by his decision not to operate, and even if that decision meant the earlier death of her child," he said, "is evidence that the public conscience with respect to such cases is changing. The fact that such a case is regarded as within the debatable ground confirms this view. Few years ago, this condemnation of mother and physician would have been universal."

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