Denise, You've just made me laugh out loud!! Anne -----Original Message----- From: Denise [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, 19 June 2005 1:38 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AVNE] A strange query Was it perhaps a way of side-stepping a husband's wish that he not be admitted to hospital? I could say more about male patients but.... Denise ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anne Hanson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2005 1:34 PM Subject: [AVNE] A strange query > Hi All, > > I am researching a Victorian 19th century criminal case. In the trial > manuscript one of the witnesses said that she encouraged the wife to get > the > local magistrate to authorise her husband's admission into hospital. Now > the > husband was ill in bed and my question is: > > Was it normal for a wife in 1863 to have to get a magistrate's permission > before her husband could be admitted to hospital? I should stress the > husband was physically ill, not mentally ill. > > Any thoughts/comments will be gratefully received. > > > Anne Hanson > [email protected]