Sarah Jane Whiteling was accused of fatally poisoning her husband and two children in Philadelphia in 1888. The case prompted public outrage over the appearance that Ms. Whiteling's motive was to collect life insurance. It was evident, however, that she was disturbed, raising a question of culpability. Dr. Alice Bennett, the first female physician in charge of an asylum, provided the defense with expert testimony on the defendant's mental state. Dr. Bennett, who had little forensic but much clinical experience, proposed a physiological theory of insanity among women with reproduction-related derangements. At that time, cultural ideas about "female poisoners" colored popular and journalistic perceptions of Ms. Whiteling. Familicide was considered unconscionable because a mother's duty was to nurture and protect her family. When Ms. Whiteling was convicted and sentenced to death, Dr. Bennett undertook a campaign for commutation. Her unsuccessful efforts to reduce culpability were followed by Ms. Whiteling's hanging in 1889, the first execution of a woman in Philadelphia since colonial times. This article recounts the Whiteling case, Dr. Bennett's involvement in it, and how it relates to what is known about familicide. It is argued here that Dr. Bennett was a pioneer in applying medical expert testimony to effect individualized mitigation.

中文翻译：

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19世纪美国的砷，杀螨剂和女性生理学。

莎拉·简·怀特琳（Sarah Jane Whiteling）在1888年被指控在费城毒死了她的丈夫和两个孩子。此案引发公众对怀特琳女士动机是要收集人寿保险的表象感到愤怒。但是，很明显，她感到不安，提出了一个罪过的问题。首位负责庇护的女医生爱丽丝·贝内特（Alice Bennett）博士为被告提供了关于被告精神状态的专家证词。Bennett博士没有法医，但是有很多临床经验，他提出了与生殖有关的错乱的女性精神错乱的生理学理论。当时，有关“女性中毒者”的文化观念充斥了怀特琳女士的流行和新闻观念。杀人杀人被认为是不合情理的，因为母亲的职责是养育和保护自己的家人。当怀特林女士被定罪并判处死刑时，贝内特博士进行了换证运动。她为减轻罪魁祸首的努力未果，随后怀特琳女士于1889年被吊死，这是自殖民时代以来费城首次处决一名妇女。本文叙述了Whiteling案，Bennett博士参与的案件，以及它与已知的家庭杀人罪有何关系。本文认为，Bennett博士是运用医学专家证词来实现个性化缓解的先驱。贝内特（Bennett）参与其中，以及它与杀人杀人事件之间的关系。本文认为，Bennett博士是运用医学专家证词来实现个性化缓解的先驱。贝内特（Bennett）参与其中，以及它与杀人杀人事件之间的关系。有人认为Bennett博士是运用医学专家证词来实现个性化缓解的先驱。