Golden rules of medical evidence

by Stanley B. Atkinson

3. CIVIL ACTIONS.

If your services are required by one party to a suit, it is for you to arrange terms; the solicitor is not himself liable. A guinea per diem usually is regarded as the minimum fee; travelling expenses (which should be paid in cash previous to the journey) are additional.

You can demand payment (in Court) before you consent to be “sworn” as a witness; having been “sworn” you are bound to give your evidence.

III. SOME LIMITATIONS TO MEDICO-LEGAL EVIDENCE.

1. IMPOSED BY RULES OF EVIDENCE.

A medical witness, as such, cannot give evidence which will influence the Court to show

1. That a woman is past the age for procreating and bearing children.

2. That a child born nine months after lawful wedlock is illegitimate.

3. That, in the absence of eye-witnesses, a newly-born dead child was live-born.

4. That in a common disaster a certain person must have died last.