Dorothy Sonoma Sterilization Record Transcript
Recommendation and Approval for Vasectomy or Salpingectomy for the Purpose of Sterilization
Name Dorothy
Institution Sonoma State Home
Personal History Hospital Case No. 9597
Age 22–9 Nativity California Religion --- Education Sherman Institute
Marital status Single No. of children One Illegitimate Ages ?
Family History (for additional space use reverse side) :
Clinical History (for additional space use reverse side) :
Data admitted 1-28-38 Present diagnosis No physical defects
Attacks (previous, and diagnosis of each) :
Legal Provisions (compliance with) :
If patient is an inmate of Sonoma State Home or a State hospital for the insane, and the operation is to be performed under Act 539, Section 1, then fill out the following:
- Legally signed and prepared commitment papers { are } on file at this Institution.
- The patient is afflicted:
After careful consideration in the case of Dorothy by the members of the Medical Staff of this institution, it is the belief that this patient is suffering from a mental disease which is likely to be transmitted to posterity, and recommended that the operation for the purpose of sterilization be performed, in which opinion I have concurred and do hereby request your approval.
Written consent {not given} by Mother does not respond to our letters
Name Relationship
under date of copy of which is attached hereto.
(If consent not given, submit separate letter giving circumstances)
[Date] April 14, 1938 [Signature of Medical Director (illegible)]
Medical Director and Superintendent
Approved and authorization for an operation for sterilization granted this 18th day of April 1938
[Signature of Director (illegible)]
Director of Institution
[Additional stamp to right side of page, reading: “Received, APR 15 1938, Department of Institutions]
[Bottom page addition at the left corner illegible]
[Page 2]
[Header]
Harry Lutgens Frank F. Merriam F.O. Butler, M.D.
Director of Institutions Governor of California Medical Director
[Illegible] Superintendent
[Illegible] mention name of
patient and use your full [illegible] when writing
State of California
Department of Institution
Sonoma State Home
Eldridge, California April 14, 1938
Mr. Harry Lutgens In Re Sterilization of D. Director of Institutions Dorothy – No 9597
Sacramento, Calif
Dear Sir:
This girl was committed on petition of the Probation Officer. She is an Indian girl. She has given birth to an illegitimate child and was sent for sterilization and return to care for this child but so far we have been unsuccessful in receiving a response from the mother to our letters of request. Her step-father is the father of her baby.
As this case is in urgent need of sterilization in order to return to her child, as outlined by the local authorities, we would ask your authorization to sterilize her without the mother’s consent in order that she can return as soon as possible following the operation.
Very truly yours
[Signature of Fred Butler]
Medical Director and Superintendent
FOB/A [Stamp on letter]
Received
April 15 1938
Dept. of Institutions
