DR. HUNTER'S CHARGES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1851, 10 September 1913, Page 5

DR. HUNTER'S CHARGES.

THAT BOX OF PILLS. LETTER FROM DR. BATCHELOR. HIS DISCLAIMER. OTAGO WITNESSES TO BE HEARD. When the Education Committee met. at the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday morning, the chairman (Mr. G. M. Thomson) brought under the notice of members a letter received from Dr. Batchelor, of Dunedin, in reference to evidence given Inst week by Dr. I. W. W. Hunter. Dr. Hunter had produced a box of pills, bearing the name of Dr. Batchelor, who at oiie time was a lecturer at tho Otago Medical School. This evidence, with the doctor's name, appeared in tho press, and Dr. Batchelor therefore wrote as follows:— "I notice in tho 'Otago Daily Times' that Dr. I. W. W. Hunter is having another tilt at the Otago Medical School. I think I can throw some light on one of his statements. Between 20 and 30 years ago, when treating cases of anaemia, my fa-vourite-prescription for that condition was Bland's iron pills About fifteen or sixteen years ago my attention was drawn to tho fact that one chemist at least was selling these pills with a printed label on the box, 'Dr. Batcheior's Iron Pills.' I was very much annoyed at this, and 'called on tho chemist at once: his explanation was that a number of patients asked for tliese pills under that name, and for his own convenience he had had the label printed. I pointed out to him how objectionable this was; he promised to withdraw the label, and, I believe, did so. I have heard nothing more of the matter since, and as a matter of fact for tho past •12 j'ears or so do not remember" ever having prescribed iron in that form, a number of'new preparations having been introduced whereby the drug can bo administered quite as efficaciously and moro conveniently. This, so. far as I know, is the solo foundation for Dr. Hunter's charges on this point, if they 'refer to me, which I imagine they do."

Committee Wants, the Pills Bash. The Hon. James Allen asked if tho committee still had the bos of pills, l which had been produced. The clerk reported that Dr. Hunter had taken them away with him again. The Hon. J. Allen wanted them back. Thoy had been put in as an exhibit.

The ohairman remarked that Dr. Hunter had no right to take them away with him. ' He would be written to and directed to return them to tho committee.

A telogram was received from tho Otago University Council asking if the Rev. Andrew Cameron, member of tho council, and Dr. Daniel Colquhoun, Lecturer on Practice of Medicine, Otago University, could give evidence on the Otago Medical School on Friday morning. .

Tho chairman stated ho.had agreed to this, and advised the council accordingly.

In reference to this telegram tho Hon. J. Allen reported that, at the request of tho Otago University Council, lie had met' them on Saturday. Ho explained that in regard to. the evidence of Dr. Hunter they (the University Council) would have been indignant liut for tho fact that those who came from Dunedin know in what estimation Dr. Hunter was .held. He was ignored in Dunedin, absolutely, when ho criticised tho University —he was' so one-sided. The coa\ncil thought that the evidence might Live, some effect if read by those who did not know Dunedin University. They .wero very strongly of opinion that they ought not to take the evidence of Dr. Hunter seriously, but they had decided to give ovidence on the Otago Medical School. Graduates' Communique on the University. " Mr. Siegfried Eiehelbaum, M.A., LL.B., president of tho Victoria College Graduates' Association, forwarded typewritten -evidenco covering nine sheets of foolscap, This set out "a few of "the defects and inconsistencies which they (the Graduates' Association) attribute to the preseJit system." The evidence was classed under two heads: (a) organisation of ■ the University, and (b) methods of the University.' The graduates expressed discontent with the present organisation, because under the split system of representation the influence of the graduates is ineffective, and) on academic Questions quite'negligible. Dissatisfaction was also expressed with wihat is generally referred to as the divorce of the colleges from the University. Tho Graduates' Association also fooimd fault with the arrangement of degree courses and the system of external examinations. On this latter subject the Graduates' Association said that ."the difficulties in tho v/fty of a change seem so vague and fantastic and the dangers of the present system so real and pressing, that the. sooner steps are taken to bring about such change the better will it be for the welfare and progress of the University." The chairman remarked 1 that Mr. Eiohelbaum had forwarded a very clear statement. Mr. T. K. Sidey; Nothing new dn it at nil. The. Hon. J. Allen remarked that he did not know what other members thought, but ho did not want Mr. Eiehelbaum to come before the committee to be cross-examined. , Mr. J. Hanan: It would! be only overloading tlie whole thing. We've had this over and ovor again. _ It was suggested) that the evidence should bo brought to a close, but tho chairman said "that it would be only fair to hear the Dujiedin witnesses and also Mr. H. H. Ostler, who as chairman of the Victoria College Council had expressed a desire to give evidence. They need not]call Mr. .Eiehelbaum. The proceedings were then carried on in committee.