Directly or indirectly many similar examples have also clear
medicolegal bearings or suggestions; in fact, it must be
acknowledged that much of the importance of medical jurisprudence
lies in a thorough comprehension of the anomalous and rare cases
in Medicine. Expert medical testimony has its chief value in
showing the possibilities of the occurrence of alleged extreme
cases, and extraordinary deviations from the natural. Every
expert witness should be able to maintain his argument by a full
citation of parallels to any remarkable theory or hypothesis
advanced by his clients; and it is only by an exhaustive
knowledge of extremes and anomalies that an authority on medical
jurisprudence can hope to substantiate his testimony beyond
question. In every poisoning case he is closely questioned as to
the largest dose of the drug in question that has been taken with
impunity, and the smallest dose that has killed, and he is
expected to have the cases of reported idiosyncrasies and
tolerance at his immediate command. A widow with a child of ten
months' gestation may be saved the loss of reputation by mention
of the authentic cases in which pregnancy has exceeded nine
months' duration; the proof of the viability of a seven months'
child may alter the disposition of an estate; the proof of death
by a blow on the epigastrium without external marks of violence
may convict a murderer; and so it is with many other cases of a
medicolegal nature.

It is noteworthy that in old-time medical literature--sadly and
unjustly neglected in our rage for the new--should so often be
found parallels of our most wonderful and peculiar modern cases.
We wish, also, to enter a mild protest against the modern egotism