DISABILITY. \s a legal term. the want of power to do a particular act or class of It mac result from bodily i.r mental incapacity, or from a rule of law. Itt the first sort is the dis ability referred to in accident insurance policies, which pro% ide for pa)ments to persons who, by reason of physical injuries, are unable to work; also in which make provision for the of poor persons who are physically or mentally incapable of procuring a livelihood. tther examples of this class arc afforded by luna tic- and infants of tender years. originating in a rule of law, are those attaching to aliens, to infant, who have reached the age of discretion. to married women under the common law, and to other special classes of persons. The reasons for imposing these legal disabilities upon persons who possess natural capacity for action are set forth in time articles treating of such per sons. to which the reader is referred. Perhaps he should be reminded in this connection, however, that some disabilities are intended as a protection or benefit to their subject, while others are im posed either by way of penalty or for time protec tion of individuals or of society at large. An
example of the first class is the legal incapacity of the minor who has not reached years of discre tion. For his protection the law denies him the power of binding himself by contract. Vet the law does not sever hill) from for his torts or crimes. llis disability is allowed to operate as a shield, hut not as a sword. To the belong the disabilities imposed upon criminals or upon aliens or those who are denied the exercise of the elective franchise or are disqualified for holding piddle office. For a more 'Iota ilcd account of the legal consequences of le'ral disabilitia, consult AnvEasE Possm:ssioN Aufrx; ATTAINDER; CONTRAM: DEED: DURESS; LIMITA TION OF ..\CTIONS; and NE(.1.11,ENTE.