Mary Lawson1900s, chicago, illegaldoctor, illinoisOn October 6, 1904, Mrs. Mary Lawson, age 33, died at Passavant Hospital in Chicago, from complications of a criminal abortion.

Dr. Alois Rassmussen, being held without bail, attempted suicide in jail by taking an overdose of morphine he had smuggled into his cell by hiding it under his collar. He had been unconscious when found, but recovered at Passavant Hospital.

Three witnesses had testified against Rassmussen at the inquest.Dr. J. J. Muldoon testified that he had attended Mary after the abortion. Two other witnesses, Mary Golden and Mary Duffer, gave what the Chicago Tribune called “damaging testimony.”

Rassmussen was sentenced to fifteen years at Joliet for the murder, but was able to get a new trial. In this second trial, he was acquitted.

Note, please, that with issues such as doctors not using proper aseptic techniques, lack of access to blood transfusions and antibiotics, and overall poor health to begin with, there was likely little difference between the performance of a legal abortion and illegal practice, and the aftercare for either type of abortion was probably equally unlikely to do the woman much, if any, good. For more about abortion and abortion deaths in the first years of the 20th century, see Abortion Deaths 1900-1909.

For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

Sources:

• Homicide in Chicago Interactive
• “Physician Tries Suicide in Cell,” Chicago Daily Tribune, Oct. 15, 1904

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