A Quarterly devoted to the Science of Medical Jurisprudence, PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY OF THE CLARK BELL, ESQ., EDITOR. This Journal will publish the leading papers of the Medico-Legal Society, and a resume of its transactions. Its columns will at the same time be open to contributions from all sources and from all parts of the world, on appropriate subjects and questions. It will endeavor to chronicle interesting facts and scientific deductions within its domain, and keep a record of current events, especially in the trial of cases in the courts which involve Medico-Legal questions. 2 The Price of the Medico-Legal Journal has been fixed at $3.00 per annum or 75 cents per copy, in the hope and with the expectation of its receiving a generous sup port from all classes of intelligent readers. Every branch and department of MedicoLegal Science will be carefully represented, and assurances have been received from the ablest professional names in Law and Medicine of efficient aid and support by way of contributions to these columns. While closely connected with the Medico-Legal Society, that institution assumes no responsibility for what appears in these pages. Authors whose articles appear with their names, are solely responsible therefor. The circulation has increased fourfold since the first issue and is constantly increasing Copies of this number will be sent to some believed to be interested in the science, in the hope of obtaining their subscriptions and support. As will be seen, the JOURNAL has become a valuable advertising medium, as it reaches both professions and the great libraries. Subscriptions are solicited, which may be made to any officer of the Medico-Legal Society, or to CLARK BELL, Esq., 57 Broadway, N. Y., of whom specimen copies can be obtained on application, at a cost of 40 cents each. The publishers will pay $1.50 per copy for No. 1., Vol. 1., in good condition, the edition being wholly exhausted. MEDICO-LEGAL STUDIES. -BY CLARK BELL, Esq. VOL. 3. Mr. Clark Bell announces the issue of Vol. 3 of Medico Legal Studies, being essays on Current Medico-Legal topics, written since November, 1891, when the prior volume was published. The work is on heavy paper and illustrated with portraits of distinguished Judges, Alienists, and Medico-Legal Jurists. The work is published by the MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL, and will be limited to an issue of 500 copies, each of which will be separately numbered, and the subscriber or purchaser registered. Price in cloth, $2.50; in paper, $2.00. Address, MEDICO-LEGAL JOURNAL, 57 BROADWAY, New York City. THE MCNAGHTEN CASE.* BY CLARK BELL, ESQ. The McNaghten case created a great sensation in England in the year 1843, and was the occasion for the remarkable obiter dicta of the English judges regarding the defense of insanity in criminal cases, which has dominated English judicial thought since that day. All the facts relating to it are full of interest, not only to bench and bar, but to all students of this branch of forensic medicine. McNaghten shot Mr. Drummond in 1843, mistaking him for Sir Robert Peel. He was indicted for murder, and tried before Chief Justice Tyndall of the English Common Pleas, and was defended by the late Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, then at the bar and prior to his elevation to the bench, and was prosecuted by Sir William Follett. McNaghten was undoubtedly insane, and labored under the delusion that Sir Robert Peel was plotting for and intended his destruction. Cockburn's defense has well been called one of the most masterly in the annals of the English bar. Sir Robert Peel did not even know McNaghten. There was no question there, upon that trial, of the right and wrong theory, as Drummond well knew right from wrong, and yet he was dominated by and acted wholly under the influence of his insane delusion. He also well knew the consequences of his act. *Read before the Medico-Legal Society May 13, 1892. |