ST. HELEN'S HOME INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1654, 22 January 1913, Page 4

ST. HELEN'S HOME INQUIRY

■'.--. —r— -4- , ■'," . FURTHER EVIDENCE.; . (By TcieETaph—Press Association.) Auckland, January 21. When St. Helens Home inquiry was resumed this morning, t Mrs. Allen (recalled) stated, in cross-examination by Mr. Mays, that she was quite satisfied with her treatment at St. Helens Homo when each of her children was born. The insertion of stitches by the matron had done.no harm whatever. The matron told her to take her'ailine child to a chemist, and if his prescription did no good to take it to Dr. Bruton Sweet, who was a specialist in children's complaints. Mrs. Nicol put. in an. amended complaint respecting Airs. Porch, who, it was alleged, had caught a chill as a the re-' suit of treatment. received in the home, and had not been attended curly enough by a doctor, with the result that labour was protracted to 65. hours, with consequent loss of sleep. The matron {Miss Ludwig), continuing her evidence, said Dr. Goldstein was consulted regarding Mrs. Porch, and was called in at the earliest stage suitable', a stage which-he himself recommended. She had never as matron recommended a mother to tako her child to a chemist for-advice, but had advised consultation with a doctor or the Public Health authorities.

The Commissioner hero remarked that under the Act tho matron's responsibility ended with the discharge of the mother and the infant, nnd that she was not liound to give advice on the rearing of children afterwards. To tho Commissioner: Patients were allowed to pass through Mrs. Chamberlain's room, which was tho only way to tho balcony, but as eooh as it was discovered that sho was septic she was isolated anil the room disinfected.

To Mrs. ,Nicol: Mrs. Porch was isolated in tho main building as sbon.ns it was discovered that she was septic. This was after a blood test had been taken by Dr. Frost. Tho isolation ward was then occupied by Mrs. Chamberlain, but when tho latter died the ward was disinfected, and Airs. Porch removed into it.

Airs. Nicol here said that sho must reply to nn insinuation by Air. Mays that •she wns animated by a desire to blacken tlio matron's reputation. She snid that she had never met the matron before Ibo inquiry opened, and had no giudgo ngainst her.

After further evidence the inquiry was adjourned.