Law Commons^™

Evidence - Physician - Patient Privilege - Applicability To Communication Between State Mental Hospital Psychiatrist And Criminal Internee, Norman A. Zilber S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was committed to a public mental hospital before standing trial on an indictment for robbery. One year later he was brought to trial after being discharged from the hospital as mentally competent. His only defense was insanity. The psychiatrist who had been appointed by the court to examine the defendant testified in support of this defense. The prosecution, in turn, introduced the testimony of the hospital psychiatrist who had attended the defendant during his internment. This psychiatrist was instructed by the trial court that communications between him and the defendant were not privileged. Accordingly, he testified that the defendant …

Hospitalization Of The Voluntary Mental Patient, Hugh A. Ross

Michigan Law Review

In 1949, the last year for which accurate statistics are available, 390,567 persons were admitted to mental hospitals in the United States. Total annual cost of mental illness, including loss of earnings, has been estimated to be over a billion dollars a year. Although the problems involved in admission of the mentally ill patient to a hospital are usually thought of in terms of formal involuntary commitment proceedings, there is an increasing awareness of the desirability of provision for voluntary procedures which would encourage prompt and effective medical care. Voluntary admission is not a form of commitment, although it may …

Evidence - Statutory Rape - Right Of Accused To Compulsory Blood Test Of Prosecutrix And Child, Edward Pastucha S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was convicted of statutory rape on the strength of complaining witness' uncorroborated testimony. Testimony of the prosecutrix was to the effect that she had had sexual relations with defendant only once, that she had become pregnant and had given birth to a child prior to the trial, and that she had had sexual relations with no other men. Defendant moved for an order requiring that blood tests be taken of the child and the mother. The motion was denied. On appeal, held, affirmed. Assuming power, absent statute, to compel the taking of blood-grouping tests, the trial court did …

Negligence-Duty Of Care-Liability Of State Mental Hospital For Acts Of A Dangerous Patient After Improper Discharge, Edgar A. Strause S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

One Jones, a mental incompetent, was erroneously released as "recovered" from a state hospital for the criminal insane, after having been transferred there because of his dangerous behavior at a state penal institution. Jones' frequent assaultive behavior at the hospital was not reported in his case history upon which the determination of his recovery was partially based, nor was any inquiry made into the motivation for such conduct. Crowded conditions and an inadequate psychiatric staff were responsible for the improper diagnosis of the patient's condition and his ultimate discharge. Four days after his release he killed four persons. The administratrix …

Negligence-Immunity Of Charitable Institutions From Suit, W. Garrett Flickinger S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

A patient of defendant charitable hospital died as a result of the transfusion of an incorrect blood type and it was shown that one of defendant's employees had correctly typed the blood but negligently mislabeled it. The widower and children of the deceased brought an action in negligence for damages and the circuit court allowed recovery. On appeal, held, affirmed. The defendant hospital is liable in damages for the death of the deceased caused by the negligence of its employee notwithstanding the fact that defendant is a charitable institution and that the hospital authorities exercised due care and caution …

Negligence-Right To Recover For Pre-Natal Injurie, James S. Taylor S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff-infant by his guardian ad litem brought an action against the defendant alleging that while he was en ventre sa mere during the ninth month of his mother's pregnancy, he sustained, through the defendant's negligence, such serious injuries that he was born permanently maimed and disabled. The trial court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a cause of action. The appellate division affirmed. On appeal, held, reversed, two judges dissenting. A complaint alleging pre-natal injuries tortiously inflicted on a nine month foetus viable at the time and actually born later states a good cause of action. Woods …

Physicians And Surgeons-Status Of Osteopaths-Limitations On Practice, Daniel W. Reddin, Iii S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Until recently, the osteopath has generally been given a limited license. The present status of the osteopath is best understood by a comparison with that of the unlimited practitioner. Though most of the statutes have been examined, this comment is based primarily upon those of Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, California, Massachusetts and Indiana, which are fairly typical of the rest. These statutes vary widely in their provisions, but for the purposes of discussion, they have been treated in three arbitrary categories: (1) statutes in which the scope of the osteopath's license is considerably narrower than that of the …

Corporations-Right To Practice Optometry Through Licensed Employees, A. E. Anderson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant, an Oregon corporation engaged in a general optical business, employed in each of its stores a registered optometrist as manager. The optometrists were paid a flat salary and made examinations free of charge, whether eyeglasses were later purchased from defendant or not. The state commenced a proceeding to oust defendant of its corporate franchise on the ground that it was unlawfully engaged in the practice of optometry. The trial court dismissed the proceedings. On appeal, held, reversed. Because of the confidential relationship which exists between practitioner and patient, optometry must be classed as a profession, and it is …

Insurance-Death Of Insured Resulting From Criminal Abortion- Right Of Beneficiary, R. V. Wellman

Michigan Law Review

Insured died as the result of a criminal abortion to which she had voluntarily submitted. The policies issued on her life contained a provision to the effect that no benefits should be payable or recoverable should the insured die as a result of a violation of law. The insurer resisted the action brought by the named beneficiary on the policy on two grounds: (a) The insured's death was caused by her violation of law; (b) Although the stated terms of the policy be held not to exclude the risk of death thus caused, it would be contrary to public policy …

Gray: Law And The Practice Of Medicine, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

A Review of LAW AND THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. By Kenneth George Gray.

Contracts--Consideration-Performance Of One Alternatlve When There Is Dispute As To Which Is Owed, L. B. Lea

Michigan Law Review

Defendant issued a membership certificate to one Flowers providing for payment of $5000 in case of accidental death or $500 in case of death due to heart disease. Later Flowers was injured in an automobile accident and died an hour afterward. The beneficiary submitted proofs of loss, including a statement of a physician that death was caused by "coronary thrombosis. Shock from auto accident about one hour before death." Defendant sent to the beneficiary a draft for $500 clearly stating on its face that the endorsement of the check would be a settlement in full. After cashing the check, the …

Evidence -Witnesses - Privileged Communications Between Physician And Patient--Statutory Effect Of Asserting Privilege In Actions On Insurance Contracts, William H. Buchanan S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, beneficiary of an insurance policy (but not the personal representative of the deceased insured), sued to recover the amount of the policy from the insurance company. As a defense the defendant claimed that the policy never became effective because the insured had made material misrepresentations in the application as to his state of health. To show that there had been such misrepresentations, the defendant proved that the insured had been treated by physicians during the five years preceding the issuance of the policy. Upon objectionμ by plaintiff the court excluded the testimony of the doctors as to the nature …

Legal Control Of Medical Practice: Validity And Methods, Kenneth C. Sears

Michigan Law Review

Legislators have deemed it necessary, in order to protect the public interest, to exercise some control over the practice of the healing art by physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, dentists, etc., both as to who may practice and in what manner the practice may be carried on. Legislators have also required, in certain situations, that designated persons submit to medical treatment. Both types of regulation give rise to various legal and constitutional problems and it is the purpose of this paper to discuss some of these problems.

Simulation Of Nervous And Mental Disease, Moses Keschner

Michigan Law Review

Simulation may be defined as a wilful, deliberate and fraudulent imitation or exaggeration of illness intended to deceive the observer for the purpose of gaining a consciously desired end. Simulation of a physical or mental illness is usually resorted to: (1) by persons who have sustained an injury, the disability resulting therefrom being compensable by benefits payable under the workmen's compensation law or by damages in personal injury actions based on alleged negligence; (2) by persons who wish to obtain insurance benefits for disability in accordance with the provisions of health, accident and life insurance policies, and included in this …

Corporations - Physicians And Surgeons - Insurance - Sale Of Professional Services By A Corporation, Charles H. Haines Jr.

Michigan Law Review

The Group Health Association, a corporation for the mutual benefit of its members, employed licensed physicians to give medical care to its members. For a lump sum consideration of $40,000 the association agreed to extend similar medical and hospital services to such employees of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation office as paid the monthly fee. In fear of quo warranto proceedings by the district attorney for illegal practice of medicine and by the superintendent of insurance for selling insurance, the association sought a declaration of its right to provide medical services in this manner. Held, a non-profit corporation through …

Limitations Of Actions - Physicians And Surgeons - Malpractice - Accrual Of Cause Of Action, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendant, a physician, treated plaintiff's decedent for cancer. Defendant failed to remove certain radium beads from decedent's uterus, and their presence in her body caused her death approximately five years later. The fact that defendant failed to remove the radium beads was not learned by plaintiff until a few months before decedent's death. Plaintiff brought suit, under the Kansas Wrongful Death Statute, within two years of the discovery of the alleged malpractice. Held, since plaintiff's cause of action accrued when the injurious acts took place, and since the statutory two-year limitation upon the bringing of tort actions was applicable, …

Torts - Release Of One Responsible For Injury As Bar To Action Against Physician For Malpractice - Splitting Cause Of Action

Michigan Law Review

In an action brought for damages arising out of alleged negligent treatment of an injury, defendant pleaded a general release of the city of Minneapolis and other alleged joint tort-feasors whom plaintiff had first sued for damages resulting from the injury. In affirming the judgment for defendant on the pleadings, held, that the release barred the cause of action. Smith v. Mann (Minn. 1931) 239 N. W. 223.

Malpractice Actions And Compensation Acts, Paul A. Leidy

Michigan Law Review

S, an employee, is injured as the result of the negligence of his employer, M; S is taken for treatment to the office of X, a competent physician or surgeon selected by S or by M; on this particular occasion X is negligent and as a result of X's negligence S's two weeks' injury is aggravated and the period of disability becomes one of two months' duration. At common law, inasmuch as the original injury was one for which M was legally responsible, S could recover from M for the entire disability-that resulting directly from the original negligence of M …

Evidence--Physician-Patient Privilege--Express And Implied Waiver

Michigan Law Review

Defendant's intestate applied for insurance with "plaintiff, expressly waiving, for himself and beneficiaries, the privilege of excluding testimony of physicians who had then attended him or might do so later. The policy lapsed, but the insured, falsely representing that he was in good health and had consulted no doctor for any cause, secured a reinstatement. He died six months later. Plaintiff sued for cancellation, and defendant objected to the testimony of physicians who had been consulted before and after the reinstatement. Held, the testimony was admissible, since the privilege was waived; also the mere fact that there were consultations …

Surgeon's Liability For Operation Without The Patient's Consent

Michigan Law Review

Under the maxim volenti non fit injuria, a surgeon may inflict upon the body of his patient what otherwise would amount to a technical battery. The consent of the patient justifies the application of force to his person. Zoterell v. Repp, 187 Mich. 319, 153 N.W. 692; Robinson v. Crotwell, 175 Ala. 194, 57 So. 23; King v. Carney, 85 Okla. 62, 204 Pac. 270; POLLOCK, TORTS, 159; BURDICK, LAW OF TORTS, 110; TORTS, RESTATEMENT No. 1, Sec. 66. A generally accepted limitation to this doctrine is that consent to the commission of an unlawful act …

Recent Important Decisions, Michigal Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Appeal and Error--Attorney's Interest in Case on Appeal--Contingent Fee; Bankruptcy--discharge--subsequent Action for Fraud; Bills and Notes--Usury No Defense Against a bona Fide Holder--Construction of Negotiable Instruments Statute; Boundaries--Street, Terminus A Quo; Carriers--Hepbern Act--State and Federal Courts--Phrase "Caused by It"; Chattel Mortgages--Payment without Notice of Assignment--Construction of a Mortgage Provision; Constitutional Law--Equal Protection of Laws--Statute Requiring Screens on Cars Operated by Corporations; Constitutional Law--Equal Protection of the Laws--Class Legislation; Contracts--No Recovery Under an Entire Illegal Contract; Contracts--Validity of Contract in Contemplation of Divorce; Courts--Federal Courts--authority of Decision of State Courts--"Telegraph"; Covenants--Breach of that Against Incumbrances; Elections--Ballots--Indication of Choice by Voter; Evidence--Facts …

Recent Important Decisions, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Bills and Notes--Fictitious or Non-Existing Payee--Knowledge of Maker--English and American Views; Bills and Notes--Holder in Due Course; Carriers--Exemption from Liability for Negligence Under Special Contract; Colleges--Entrance Discriminations--Mandamus Not Remedy for Refusing Admission; Constitutional law--Aliens--Keeping for Immoral Purposes; Constitutional Law--Class Legislation--Licensing Itinerant Vendors; Constitutional Law--Legislative Power--Intoxicating Liquors--License System; Constitutional Law--Police Power--Intoxicating Liquors; Constitutional Law--Police Power--Ordinance Absolutely Prohibiting Billboards; Corporations--Ultra Vires--Organizing Another Corporation--Dissenting Stockholder; Deeds--Cancellation for Fraud--False Representations as to Intention; Deeds--Description--Parol Evidence to Explain Ambiguity; Deeds--Effect of Statute Abolishing the Use of Private Seals; Divorce--Adultery--Consent of Plaintiff; Elections--Qualification of Voters--Payment of Taxes--Payment by Unauthorized Person; Evidence--Privileged Communications--Professional Nurse and Patient; Health--Offering …

Christian Science And Religious Liberty, Edward W. Dickey

Michigan Law Review

Prominent among the expressions of religious thought in this country in recent years is that of Christian Science. Its teaching in regard to the healing of disease without any material agencies has called forth many comments on the question of religious liberty. As it has attracted to it a large and ever increasing number of intelligent and law-abiding citizens, all over the country, and as there have been several efforts to partially or totally restrict its practice as a means of healing, by proscriptive legislation, we deem it proper to set forth, in a general way, some of the questions, …

Note And Comment, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The Fayerweather Will Case; Conveyance of Land Includes Building material Fitted For Use Thereon; The Waiver of Fatal Defects in an Indictment; Consolidation of Railroads and Condemnation of Shares of Dissenting Stockholders; Compulsory Vaccination; Confidential Communications Between Physician and Patient; The Law on the Panama Canal Zone;

Note And Comment, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The Law School; The New Schools of Healing; When the Exercise of Judicial Discretion is not Due Process of Law; Mandamus to Compel the Installation of a Telephone in a Bawdy House Denied; The Division in the Republican Party in Wisconsin; A Novel Extension of Federal Jurisdiction; The Session Laws of Porto Rico

Note And Comment, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

The Law School; the Mostly Edicuation Commission; Penal Statute--"medical Attendance"--Devine Healing--Constitutional Law; Validity of a Note Given to an Unlicensed Practitioner of Medicine for Medical Services When the Note has Passed Before it is Due to a Bona Fide Purchaser for Value and Without Notice; Parties--Joining Representative of Deceased Joint Obligor--Survivors; Code Pleading--Amendment--Forms of Action; Conflict of Laws--Public Policy--Agreement ot Stifle Prosecution;

Note And Comment, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Statutes Regulating the Practice of Medicine--Osteopathy; Agency--Liability of Agent for Non-Feasance; Constitutional Law--Bible Reading in the Public Schools; Garnishment--Liability of Garnishee--Joint Demand--Illegality--Contingency; Agency--Ratification--Necessity that the Person Acting should have Professed to Act as Agent

Confinement Of The Insane, Thomas M. Cooley

Articles

The time is almost within the memory of living persons when it was deemed not only lawful but proper to confine persons afflicted with mental disease in dungeons and with chains, and to subject them to beating, at the discretion of their keepers, in order to subdue their senseless fury and drive away their delusions.1 The notions of an ignorant and barbarous age justified such treatment, but the common law on the subject has been so much modified in the greater intelligence of the present century that opinions as to how much of the old rules remain must be expressed …

Ho Ah Kow V. Matthew Nuan, Thomas M. Cooley

Articles

"An ordinance of San Francisco, that every male person imprisoned in the county jail, under any judgment of the any court having jurisdiction in criminal cases in the city and county, should immediately upon his arrival at the jail, have the hair of his head 'cut or clipped to an uniform length of one inch from the scalp thereof,' and made it the duty of the sheriff to have this provision enforced, is invalid, being in excess of the authority of the municipal body....

The ordinance being directed against the Chinese only, imposing on them a degrading and cruel punishment, …