Texas · Statutes
The Penal Code of the State of Texas
The 1857 publication of the Texas Penal Code adopted in 1856. Article 531 punished procurement of an abortion with the pregnant woman's consent and doubled the punishment when done without her consent. Article 536 provided an exception for medical advice to save the mother's life.
Checked source available. Collection target: Galveston 1857 publication
The Penal Code of the State of Texas
State of Texas · Galveston 1857 publication · 1857
Complete PDF supplied by the Legislative Reference Library, including title, code, correction note, and index. The title page gives 1857 as the publication year. The approval and effective dates are separate facts printed at page 167. Article 531 prohibits procuring an abortion with the pregnant woman's consent and doubles punishment when it is done without her consent. Article 536 supplies an exception for medical advice to save the mother's life. The introduction identifies John W. Harris, O. C. Hartley, and James Willie as commissioners. Willie signed the publication note. He describes enrollment and numbering errors, with a correction note following the Code. The complete historical code also contains provisions on slavery and racially unequal punishment. Inclusion supplies the source in its historical context.
Open reader → Download this PDF
The title page gives 1857 as the publication year. The approval and effective dates are separate facts printed at page 167.
Article 531 prohibits procuring an abortion with the pregnant woman's consent and doubles punishment when it is done without her consent. Article 536 supplies an exception for medical advice to save the mother's life.
The introduction identifies John W. Harris, O. C. Hartley, and James Willie as commissioners. Willie signed the publication note. He describes enrollment and numbering errors, with a correction note following the Code.
The complete historical code also contains provisions on slavery and racially unequal punishment. Inclusion supplies the source in its historical context.