Nothing is an offence by reason of any harm which it may cause to a
person for whose benefit it is done in good faith, even without that
person's consent, if the circumstances are such that it is impossible for
that person to signify consent, or if that person is incapable of giving
consent, and has no guardian or other person in lawful charge of him from
whom it is possible to obtain consent in time for the thing to be done with
benefit: Provided-.
Provisos. First.-That this exception shall not extend to the intentional causing of death, or the attempting to cause death;
Secondly.-That this exception shall not extend to the doing of anything which the person doing it knows to be likely to cause death, for any purpose other than the preventing of death or grievous hurt, or the curing of any grievous disease or infirmity;
Thirdly.-That this exception shall not extend to the voluntary causing of hurt, or to the attempting to cause hurt, for any purpose other than the preventing of death or hurt;
Fourthly.-That this exception shall not extend to the abetment of any offence, to the committing of which offence it would not extend.
Illustrations
(a) Z is thrown from his horse, and is insensible. A, a surgeon, finds that
Z requires to be trepanned. A, not intending Z's death, but in good faith,
for Z's benefit, performs the trepan before Z recovers his power of judging
for himself. A has committed no offence.
(b) Z is carried off by a tiger. A fires at the tiger knowing it to be likely that the shot may kill Z, but not intending to kill Z, and in good faith intending Z's benefit. A's ball gives Z a mortal wound. A has committed no offence.
(c) A, a surgeon, sees a child suffer an accident which is likely to prove fatal unless an operation be immediately performed. There is not time to apply to the child's guardian. A performs the operation in spite of the entreaties of the child, intending, in good faith, the child's benefit. A has committed no offence.
(d) A is in a house which is on fire, with Z, a child. People below hold out a blanket. A drops the child from the housestop, knowing it to be likely that the fall may kill the child, but not intending to kill the child, and intending, in good faith, the child's benefit. Here, even if the child is killed by the fall, A has committed no offence.
Explanation. Mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit within the meaning of sections 88, 89 and 92.
Section 91 Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused
Section 92 Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent
Section 93 Communication made in good faith
Section 94 Act to which a person is compelled by threats
Section 95 Act causing slight harm
Section 96 Things done in private defence
Section 97 Right of private defence of the body and of property
Section 98 Right of private defence against the act of a person of unsound mind. etc
Section 99 Acts against which there is no right of private defence
Section 100 When the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death
Section 101 When such right extends to causing any harm other than death
Section 102 Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of the body
Section 103 When the right of private defence of property extends to causing death
Section 104 When such right extends to causing any harm other than death
Section 105 Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of property