A Manual of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 Excerpt: ...not unfrequently arises in consequence of the insured person committing suicide after the taking out of the policy. Under such circumstances a company would certainly be justified in refusing to pay the insurance, if it could be proved that the suicide was committed with the intention of paying off debts or leaving money to the heirs. If, however, the suicide was due to insanity, clearly developed after the policy had been taken out, the heirs would undoubtedly be entitled to the payment of the insurance. From what has just been said of the relationship of the alcohol and opium habit, insanity, suicide, to life-insurance, it is obvious that, for the interest of the company, as well as for that of the insured, a most thorough examination should be made as to the health of the individual at the time of the application for the policy. Not only should all the printed questions of the policy be satisfactorily answered by the applicant, but the latter should be most carefully questioned orally by the medical examiner of the company. It is the concealment of the true state of the health of the applicant, either fraudulently or unintentionally, at the time that the policy was taken out, which gives rise to most of the lawsuits in cases of life-insurance. Medical malpractice.--Actions for damages for large amounts are so often brought against physicians on the charge of malpractice, that it is well for the medical profession to realize that the law affords, even to the most distinguished of its members, under such circumstances, no especial protection. In order, therefore, to avoid the annoyance and loss of time always entailed by such suits, howsoever they may terminate, it is most important that practitioners should never guarantee or contract to effect a cure, ev...