A curious sect, called "The Peculiar People," whose head- quarters
seem to be in Essex, have risen up amongst us, and the death of a child in one of the families of this sect in London from inflammation of the lungs has brought them before the public, through a coroner's inquest and a subsequent trial for manslaughter. It appears that when the child, Lois Wagstaffe,- Lois is a Scripture name, taken from 2 Timothy, i. 5,—fell ill, her parents, believing that it was distrust of the Lord to send for a physician, had her anointed with oil by the elders of the church, according to the directions in the Epistle of James, and then trusted to the Lord for her recovery. The child died. It did not appear that there had been any certainly improper treatment. It had barley - water, corn - flour, milk, port wine, and a little weak brandy and water towards the last. The surgeon who was examined seemed to think the brandy and water bad, and that medical help might have saved the child. But stimulants are now given by the best physicians in case of great weakness, and it is by no means clear that Lois would have been saved by medical advice. Mr. Justice Wiles charged very much in favour of the parents, pointing out that they had cer- tainly not been guilty of " gross and culpable negligence," but that, while entertaining a very foolish objection to medical advice, they had done the best they knew for the child, and given it the best of food. The jury acquitted Mr. and Mrs. 1agstaffe, add- ing a censure for not calling in medical advice.
Previous page
