Discussion and Debate

This is a letter written by Charles Lowell to Dr. John Warren in July of 1822, between the first two trials. He writes that he has met with Dr. Nathan Smith, who ultimately decides to testify in favor of the defendants. The doctor gave Lowell a full exam and deemed his injury a fracture, not a dislocation. He proclaimed that Lowell ought to be as good as new within the next two years, but it appears that Lowell is skeptical and is curious to hear Warren’s thoughts.

The following is a strained correspondence between Dr. Hawkes and Dr. Warren. Dr. Hawkes is looking for support from Dr. Warren in the courtroom, but fundamentally, Dr. Warren disagrees with the way in which he decided to proceed with setting the dislocation. On the other hand, it is well known that Dr. Warren blatantly disliked being involved in a malpractice lawsuit. He knew Dr. Hawkes, and did not enjoy questioning his colleague’s integrity, character, and medical expertise. Here they argue over the appropriate way to reduce a hip joint.

Dr. Benjamin Barrett writes a letter to Dr. Warren on June 4, 1823 discussing methods employed in setting a hip dislocation.