Bowman v. Coyle

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Marshall, J.:

The plaintiff sued to recover $69,250, damages sustained by reason of the negligence of the defendant, a practicing physician, in administering an enema of a twenty-five per cent solution of caustic soda (concentrated lye) instead of an enema of Epsom salts. The plaintiff recovered judgment in the sum of $25,000, from which the defendant appeals.

Special questions, were answered by the jury as follows:

“1. Do you find that the area of the burn caused by the caustic, soda extended beyond the third valve of Houston? A. Don’t know.

“2. If you…