Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/176

–80– -80§ 42. Liability of minors and mentally unsound persons for wrongs A minor, or a person of unsound mind of whatever degree, is civilly liable for a wrong done by him, but is not liable in exemplary damages unless at the time of the act he was capable of knowing that it was wrongful. § 43. Enforcement of minors* rights A minor may enforce his rights by civil action or other legal proceedings in the same manner as a person of full age, except that a guardian must conduct the action or proceedings. CHAPTER 5—PERSONAL RIGHTS Sec. 71. General personal rights. 72. Defamation. 73. Libel. 74. Slander. 75. Privileged publications; inference of malice. 76. Abduction and seduction. 77. Wrongs not actionable. 78. Right to use force.

§ 71. General personal rights I n addition to the personal rights recognized by section 31 of Title 1, and by Part 2 of Title 6, and subject to the qualifications and restrictions provided by law, every person has the right of protection from: (1) bodily restraint or harm; (2) personal insult; (3) defamation; and (4) injury to his personal relations. § 72. Defamation Defamation is effected by libel or slander. § 73. Libel Libel is a false and unprivileged publication by writing, printing, picture, effigy, or other fixed representation to the eye, which: (1) exposes a person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy; or (2) causes him to be shunned or avoided; or (3) has a tendency to injure him in his occupation. § 74. Slander Slander is a false and unprivileged publication other than libel, which: (1) charges a person with crime, or with having been indicted, convicted, or punished for crime; or (2) imputes to him the present existence of an infectious, contagious, or loathsome disease; or (3) tends directly to injure him in respect to his office, profession, trade, or business, eithw by imputing to him general disqualification in those respects which the office or other occupation peculiarly requires, or by imputing something with reference to his office, profession, trade, or business that has a natural tendency to lessen its profits; or (4) imputes to him impotence or a want of chastity; or (5) by natural consequence, causes actual damage. § 75. Privileged publications; inference of malice (a) A privileged publication is one made: (1) in the proper discharge of an official duty;

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