This article presents the case of Scott Ames, a terminally ill man refusing treatment for both AIDS & lymphoma. Ames attempted suicide & was subsequently admitted to the psychiatric ward of a large general hospital. The dilemma faced by the hospital staff – whether to discharge Mr. Ames, in which case he likely would complete suicide, or to force his stay & treatment in hospital, which would most likely aggravate his depression – is debated by Battin & Goldblatt. The legal & ethical complexities of the case are highlighted. (2 refs)