Chapter VII: Some Stepping-Stones of Medical Evidence

1200 Pledge to answer truly appears.

1215 Trial by Ordeal abolished.

1275 The Coroner’s Ordinance. The inquest jury were the witnesses
also; inspection of external appearances was alone necessary
for the jury’s _post-mortem_ examination.

1290 The Court, after being advised by physicians, direct the jury
as to the legitimacy of a posthumous child.

1345 The Sheriff is directed to summon the foremost London medical
men to consider the severity of a recently inflicted wound.

1354 A charge of surgical malpraxis narrated in the City Records.

1450 Common witnesses are summoned to appear before the jury.

1506 Dispute as to the province of the Court or the surgeon to
decide upon the severity of a wound.

Anatomical _post-mortem_ examinations occur, though pathology is
primitive. “Searchers.”

1542 Thomas Vicary advises the Lord Mayor in a case of battery.

1562 Witnesses summoned _sub-pœna_.

1575 Ambrose Paré publishes typical “medico-legal reports.”

1632 College of Physicians report in full on a corrosive poisoning
case.

1665 Sir Thomas Browne affirmed in Court his belief in witches.

1699 Baron Hatsell objects to Dr. Crell quoting “Ambros Parey’s”
opinions.

1723 Mr. Justice Tracey enunciates “the wild beast” theory of
responsibility in lunacy cases.

1767 _Slater_ v. _Baker & Stapleton_—a case of surgical malpraxis;
damages £500.

1781 John Hunter gives expert evidence in an alleged poisoning case:
“I can give nothing definite.”

1788 Samuel Farr’s _Elements of Medical Jurisprudence_.

1795 Matthew Baillie exposes the fallacy of “Death from polyp of the
heart.”

1807 Chair of Medical Jurisprudence established in Edinburgh.

1823 Last “cross-road” burial of suicides in England.

1827 Orfila doubts detection of blood-stain with the microscope.

1830 The first Medical Coroner elected. “A medical Crowner’s a queer
sort of thing.”

1831 Sir Thos. Watson lectures at King’s College Hospital, and
Swaine Taylor at Guy’s.

1832 The Anatomy Act, after Burke and Hare scandals. “Burke Hare
too!”

1836 Registration of “the cause of death” introduced.

Sir Dominic Corrigan’s clause as to fact of death: “As I am
informed” (1874).

1837 The Medical Witnesses Remuneration Act allows fees for medical
evidence at inquests; inquests and autopsies increase,
pathology advances.

1843 Swaine Taylor’s _Manual of Medical Jurisprudence (Principles
and Practice, 1865)_.

Rules as to the test of criminal responsibility of the insane
(McNaughten’s case).

1844 Rudolph Virchow’s _Die Sections-Tecknik_ commenced.

1845 Telegraph first used for arrest of a prisoner (Tawell).

1846 Anæsthetics introduced. “Gentlemen! Here is no humbug!”

1848 The first Public Health Act.

1851 Stas devises his process to detect poisoning by alkaloids
(nicotine).

1857 Lord Chief Justice Cockburn discredits microscopical evidence.

1858 “Railway shock” appears.

The Medical Act registers medical practitioners.

1862 Hoppe-Seyler suggests medico-legal use of the spectroscope
(Muller’s case, 1864).

1863 Photography applied to surgery. (1871, criminals photographed).

1864 Listerism introduced.

1868 Crown Office (Scotland) memorandum for medico-legal examination
of dead bodies (revised 1897).

1883 Bertillonage employed (France).

1879 The first Inebriates Act.

1886 The triple qualification necessary.

1887 Retford ptomaine poisoning.

1888 Witnesses emancipated from “kissing the Book.”

1893 Phonograph heard in the Chancery Division.

Report on Death Certification.

1896 Skiagram of ankle produced in an action for damages.

1897 Finger-print records recognized (India).

1897 Cinematograph used in Medicine.

1901 Medico-Legal Society founded.

1902 A “thumb-print” accepted at the Old Bailey.

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Transcriber’s Notes

pg 47 Added period after NECESSARY TO TEST