Abstract
THE reviewer remembers the appearance of the first edition of this work in 1888, for in that year he passed from military to civil employ under the Government of India and became a district civil surgeon. That officer, to a certain extent, combines the duties of police surgeon and coroner, since all medico-legfal cases are submitted to him. Upon his report further action depends. Where the use of poisons is suspected he passes on the viscera or other material to the chemical examiner, whose report is attached to the surgeon's record. In the Presidency cities where there exist coroners courts a special surgeon is appointed for medico-legal work. In Calcutta and Bombay that officer is also lecturer on medical jurisprudence in the medical college. The later editions controlled by Lt.-Col. Waddell have maintained the reputation which Lyon's work acquired at its first appearance. With advances in research and experience new, tests and methods have beeri added, while old technique has been improved. Time brings few changes in fundamentals, but, as knowledge increases, science follows more closely the track of the criminal and provides more certain help to those who administer the law.
Lyon's Medical Jurisprudence for India, with Illustrative Cases.
By Lt.-Col. L. A. Waddell. Sixth edition. Pp. xiii + 783. (Calcutta and Simla: Thacker, Spink, and Co.; London: W. Thacker and Co., 1918.) Price 28s. net.
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W., J. Lyon's Medical Jurisprudence for India, with Illustrative Cases . Nature 101, 143 (1918). https://doi.org/10.1038/101143a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/101143a0