ABSTRACT
One of the first lawsuits in which x-ray picture evidence became of great importance was heard in Nottingham in England. It was described in a number of British journals in March, 1896, and shortly thereafter was commented upon by several American journals. This case was described as follows in the London Hospital under the title, ‘The New Photography in Court.’
An interesting and novel case, in which the ‘X-rays’ practically decided the point, was tried by Mr. Justice Hawkins and a special jury at Nottingham the other day. Miss Ffolliott, a burlesque and comedy actress, while carrying out an engagement at a Nottingham theatre early in September last, was the subject of an accident. After the first act, having to go and change her dress, she fell on the staircase leading to the dressing-room and injured her foot. Miss Ffolliott remained in bed for nearly a month, and at the end of that time was still unable to resume her vocation. Then, by the advice of Dr. Frankish, she was sent to the University College Hospital, where both her feet were photographed by the ‘X-rays.’ The negatives taken were shown in court, and the difference between the two was convincingly demonstrated to the judge and jury. There was a definite displacement of the cuboid bone of the left foot, which showed at once both the nature and the measure of the injury. No further argument on the point was needed on either side, and the only defence, therefore, was a charge of contributory carelessness against Miss Ffolliott. Those medical men who are accustomed to dealing with ‘accident claims’—and such claims are now very numerous—will perceive how great a service the new photography may render to truth and right in difficult and doubtful cases. If the whole osseous system, including the spine, can be portrayed distinctly on the negative, much shameful perjury on the part of a certain class of claimants, and many discreditable contradictions among medical experts, will be avoided. The case is a distinct triumph for science, and shows how plain fact is now furnished with a novel and successful means of vindicating itself with unerring certainty against opponents of every class.
