Medicolegal

Compensation of Physicians: Liability of County for Emergency Services Rendered Indigents. —  An indigent patient was brought to the office of the plaintiff, a physician. A diagnosis of ruptured appendix was made and the patient was placed in a hospital. The plaintiff communicated immediately with the proper county commissioners, informing them of the critical condition of the patient and requesting an order to operate. The plaintiff was informed that no action could be taken until the commissioners met. Believing that further delay would prove fatal, the plaintiff operated and restored the patient to health. The county board of commissioners refused to pay the bill and the plaintiff sued and obtained judgment against the county in the trial court. The county appealed to the Supreme Court of Nebraska.In affirming the judgment of the trial court, the Supreme Court said that in an emergency requiring an operation to save the life