ST. HELEN'S HOME INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1657, 25 January 1913, Page 5

ST. HELEN'S HOME INQUIRY.

FURTHER EVIDENCE,

"NO NEED TO BE IRRITABLE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Affiooiation.)

Auckland, January 24. Tho inquiry into the administration of St. Helen's . Maternity Home was continued to-day, tlio Commissioner (Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M.), presiding. Tho cross-examination of Dr. Tracy Inglis, medical officer of St. Helen's, regarding tho treatmcntof Mrs. Chamborlain in'tho homo before her death, was coll-

tinued by Mr. Skelton. Dr.' Inglis 6aid that ho mado tho first careful examination of Mrs. Chamberlain on August 13. Mr. Skelton: How often did you make a very careful examination of tho pa* tientP

Witness: I made tho necessary careful examination every time I saw her. Mr. Skelton: When did you first mention to tho matron that you suspected septicaemia P Witness: I do not know. Idisoussedthe ease so often that I cannot possibly fix a date. ~ Mr. Skelton was proceeding to put a further question when witness said he did not know what Counsel was talking about.

The Commissioner! But I do, doctor. If there had been a day book kept in the homo with proper records Mr. Skelton would havo had tho information ho requires. Ho is simply trying to get at what treatment you ordered Mrs. Chamberlain when you suspected septicaemia. There is no need to bo irritablo about it. You have simply to answer his questions. Witness: 1 cannot say definitely when I started special treatment for septicaemia. I treated' Mrs. Chamberlain for bronchial pneumonia up to tho end of August, and considered her high temperature due to this, and not to septio ohanges. < ; Mr. Skelton:-Are you not pledged by the rules of the British Medical Association not to oonsult With other medical men who are not membersP -

Witness: No, certainly-not. , . Mr. t Skelton: Supposing .that urgent necessity aroso'requiring consultation, say with Dr, Brockway, would you not have to get tho consent of tho committee of tho association first? Witness: No.

To the Commissioner: A few years ago thero was a dispute between certaiA friendly societies in Auckland and tho association,. tho result being that tho societies imported a number of medical officers. Wo as an association refused by resolution to consult with them or meet them professionally except in emergencies. Witness's opinion was tliat this rule did not affect public practitioners. Mr. Skelton: Dr. Broekway is under,the bann of tho association?, .

Witnoss: Yes, because ho was imported from America by tho societies. : - Tho Commissioner: Was a written record of Dr. .Cross's bacteriological tests obtained for the homo P.

: Witness: No. Her report was given over the 'phone.

The Commissioner: Why wasn't it writ, ten down? Surely it would have been better. ,

i Witness: Tes, for the inquiry. The Commissioner: It's not a matter of inquiries; it's a niattcr of medical.officers keeping proper records in public infctitutions.

'Mr. Skelton: Is it not a fact that;because Mr. Chamberlain was so persistent ill Ilia wife's welfare you wero forced to take 6omo action and have the blood test taken? > •'' .-■ Witness: Certainly not. . ' r To the' Commissioner: Dr. Frost's test was not of great value. .. ..: The Commissioner: Then why' did you have it taken? ' '

Witness! Because I had suspected sop. tioatmia, and wanted her to confirm it. Mr. Skelton produced tho doctor's notification to tho Health. Department of Mrs, Chamberlain's condition, which was dated August 28, and tlmt of another patient, dated September 19; both of which baa reached tlie Department on the 6amo day. Tho witness said that lie'had no know-

ledgo of the former document being delayed in its transmission,'but ho was absolutely positive that ho had not written both notifications oil the same day. Ho

had also given a resume of tho case over the telephone to Dr. M'Gill. Tho Commissioner : Were you ever called upon by any officer of the Department or'-Minister, or any other person, to report on tho 'caso of Mrs. Chamberlain either during her' illness or after her death? , Witness: I was asked to bco Dr. M Gill at the Health Office.

The Commissioner: Can you. produce any written communication of any. kind between yourself and tho Department relating to Mrs. Chamberlain's illness and

deaUi? ' • . Witness: I don't think so. The Commissioner: In such caso on« would think, tho first tiling asked for would bo a report from tho medical officer or matron. Mr. Mays: Wo shall show everything that passed. . It is a little premature just at presont. • • Mr. Skelton hero produced Dr. valintino's report for tho 1 Minister oil; thd case. '• -, Dr. Inelis, perusing tho report,' 6ftia that though ngre'eiiig in , substance, Ins opinion dififorod 4 slightly, in placcs from 'that of Dr. Valintine. . 1 '• . In answer to Mrs. Nichols, ho said that he considered one nurso quito sufficient to attend to Mrs. Chamberlain, even ; n the closing stages. With'regard to tho robm she had occupied, ho had given orders to have it thoroughly fumigated and disinfected, and this had been . dono. Owing to tlio need for this being dono qmcldy, there had not been .time to get the health inspector to superintend tlio work. ■ Mrs. Nicol hero remarked on thejaxness of the Health Department in nttfnding to such eases, and concluded: They are an absolute disgrace. You conldnt shift tliem with a eliargo of dynamite. ■The inquiry was then adjourned.' \