REPORT OF THE TRIAL. THE PEOPLE VS. DR. HORATIO N. LOOMIS,
FOR LIBEL.
Tried at the Erie Court of Oyer and Terminer, June, 24, 1850.
In a bibliographical notice of Bennett on the Uterus, in the June No.
of the Examiner, we incidentally alluded in terms of commendation to
the recent effort of the Professor of Obstetrics in Buffalo Medical Col-
lege to introduce the method of teaching midwifery by demonstration.
It now appears that the information on which that opinion was based,
was erroneous, as shown by the evidence brought forward at the late
trial for libel, in “ the People vs. Loomis we must therefore with-
draw whatever countenance may have been given by the article men-
tioned, so far as regards oculat demonstration.
We must also protest against the necessity of exposing the female
during the operation of turning, as advocated by one of the witnesses at
the trial; indeed we cannot see under what circumstances it can be
even admissible. It certainly is not the practice nor the doctrine taught
where we were educated, that “ exposure is a necessary element of the
operation.”
We have alluded to this pamphlet very briefly, merely to correct the
opinion advanced by us under a wrong view of the case. We cannot
but regret deeply that the matter was ever brought before the public at
all; more especially as regards the statements made by one of the wit-
nesses already referred to, in which we are sure he will find no sym-
pathy from a very large majority of the profession.