Originally posted by John G
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I believe Phillips toned it down after the publicity over the supposed technique in evidence in the Chapman murder. But I also think he saw what the killer intended him to see in the method and skill applied to remove Eddowes kidney.
I certainly find it interesting that he doesn't give evidence at the inquest.
Why he didn't?, I do not know.
I also referred earlier to Swanson's report where he comments on Drs Phillips and Brown's opinions after the autopsy. They seem to suggest that just about anyone could have been responsible , from a slaughterman to a trained surgeon. That also indicates to me a possible conflict of opinion between the two medical professionals.
Until then offer no unnecessary publicity.
Interestingly, the eminent surgeon Sir James Ridson Bennett offered his two-pence worth on the 3rd Oct.
"I have no desire to promulgate any theory in reference to these murders. My purpose in writing to The Times the other day was simply to demonstrate the absurdity of the theory that the crimes were being committed for the purpose of supplying an American physiologist with uteruses."
"Since I wrote my letter to the Times I have received several communications in support of my view. One of these comes from the Bishop of Hertford, who agrees me that the theory of the American physiologist has no claims to credit. I wish to have it understood that my only desire is to remove from the public mind the false impression that has been made by the suggestion that a member of the medical profession is more or less responsible for these murders. I have never believed in that theory, and these two last murders confirm me in the opinion that they are the work of a man suffering from acute mania, to whom the ordinary rules of manner and procedure do not apply."
The good doctor managed to get his point across (in bold), using the American doctor theory as the means to raise the issue.
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