"REASONABLE" PEES FOR SURGEONS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1954, 10 January 1914, Page 3

"REASONABLE" PEES FOR SURGEONS.

;A%N ; UX§IJCCJi:sSFUL PROTEST. .■ An" interesting''case—Dr. Stoiihane v, Eiigon Selignum—was held on November .7 ir,..tire Westminster Comity Court as i toHvhat 'constituted a reasonable charge for a surgical operation. It transpired that Dr. Alexander Oirvan, who was defendant's usual medical man, attended Mrs. Seligman, and said that a specialist should bo called in, as an operation for gallstones was necessary. Mr. Seligman said: "Savo my wife's life, spare no expense." Plaintiff was ealled in, mid Mr. Selignwn mado tlio same remark to him. Mrs. Scligmall was taken to a nursing home, and- plaintiff successfully carried out the operation. Defendant paid 50 guineas to plaintiff and 5 guineas to the gentleman who administered tho anaes-; thetic. When asked for the balance of tho fee of 100 guineas 3io did not reply ,to letters, but eventually sent £10 on account, and tho ba-lanco. of £42 10s. was now claimed.

- Defendant stated that he was a German, and dealt in antiques. His income was about £403 a year. He had no idea that such a high fee would bo charged. I-Io had. > paid moro than lie considerd was sufficient for the operation. When ho consented to the calling in of a specialist ho thought the fee would be about £25 to £30.

Mr.' Keiiiiard, F.R.C.S. (Edin,), of Bedford Square, gave evidence that he had attended Mrs. Seligman since tlio operation. In his opinion 100 guineas was too ranch to charge a man in defendant's position for tlio operation. ■ Mr. Hollowav ea-id that the defendantloved his wife snd waa willing to mako any sacrifico in his power to save her life. Ho consented to the operation, and the charge of 100 guineas was sprung upon him. In his trouble ho raised no immediate objection to tho charge, and naid - £fi2 10s. before ho complained. Plaintiff said his fee was 100 ; guineas, and that was why ho charged tiiat sum, but counsel submitted Ire should have told defendant what his charge would ho before ho performed the operation. tho duration of which was one hour and j » 3lalf - ■ • Tlio jury found for . the plaintiff for the amount claimed, and. Judge' Woodfall gave judgment accordingly, with costs.