Wetherell v. Marion County , 28 Iowa 22 ( 1869 )

Cole, J.

The question presented by the demurrer, and argued at length in this* case, is one of construction of the contract between the parties. It is not alone as to the meaning of the words “ medical treatment and medicines,” as implied by the demurrer and argued by counsel, but as to tbe proper construction of tbe entire contract, including the bid or offer by the plaintiff, as well as the resolution of the board of supervisors inviting it. These, together with the acceptance of the bid, constitute the one contract. By reference to the preceding statement, it will be seen that the plaintiff, by his bid or offer, did not limit his proposed services to “medical treatment,” but he proposed “ to perform the duties of physician for the paupers of Marion county at the poor-house therein.” The language of this contract is not to be construed in its technical or limited sense, but in its ordinary and common acceptation. 2 Pars, on Cont. 12, and notes; Schuylkill Nav. Co. v. Moore, 2 Wharton, 491. The “ duties of physician,” in their general, common and ordinary acceptation, do include the usual cases of surgery as well as the administration of-medicine. And it may perhaps be questioned, whether in pure professional parlance, the “ duties of physician ” would not include wgery as well as medicine; and this because, in the universities of this eonntry, as in Prance, and in most of the universities throughout the world (England alone excepted), the common degree of doctor of medicine and surgery is given. They are not separated by the scientists themselves, and the degree of doctor of medicine given to one class, and doctor of surgery to another; although these graduates do sometimes, but not often, make the one or the other a specialty in their professional lives.

If we were, therefore, driven (as perhaps'we are not) to determine, as a matter of legal construction, the meaning of the terms “ duties of physician ” and “ medical treatment,” we should not hesitate long in deciding that they, like the degrees or diplomas of those who practice them, include both medicine and surgery.

But in this case, the answer, as if to avoid the question of legal construction, distinctly averred as a fact, that under the contract it became the duty of the plaintiff to treat said ease, and that upon being requested he repeatedly promised to do so, but failed and neglected it. We must not, however, be understood as deciding or intimating that the peculiar case stated in the answer would necessarily fall within the duty of treatment by a physician and surgeon employed, as was plaintiff, for a limited time. That is to say, natural deformity, such as club-foot, hare-lip, cross-eyes and the like, may not fall within the class of surgical operations embraced in such contract as forms the basis of this action. Such deformities may or may not be treated advantageously or may or may not require treatment this month or this year. They are not like a broken or diseased limb, requiring prompt and immediate setting or amputation. Whether a club-foot should be treated at a particular time is a question of fact embracing a much wider range of inquiry than ordinary surgical operations : and it is to be determined like other questions of fact, and not as a matter of law.

It is urged in argument by appellee’s counsel that the answer does not contain any averment that the county had paid out any money or been otherwise damaged in consequence of the plaintiff’s neglect; and that the county could not recover for any damage to the pauper. But this question was not made by demurrer or otherwise in the court below and cannot therefore be made here. If made and sustained by the District Court, the defendant might have amended instead of standing upon his demurrer; and he ought not to be deprived of this privilege by deciding the question against him for the first time in this court.

Reversed.