COOK HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 103, 24 January 1918, Page 6

COOK HOSPITAL

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SUPERINTENDENT GIVES EVIDENCE By Telogruph-Press Association. CisborriD, January 23. Evidence ?.t the Cook Hospital inquiry was given by Miss Maclean, Registrar of Nurses, and Dr. Vnlitif.ine, Inspector-General of Hospitals, nitli regard to a Departmental inquiry into the Higgins case, which they contended was properly conducted. Asked whether he thought it was advisable for a medical man.to he a member of the Hospital Board, Dr. Valintine said ho did not think it advisable, but it would require legislation to alter it. He had known medical men who had done excellent work in conjunction with hospital hoards. Dr. Valintine said he still held a high opinion of Dr. Bowie's professional qualifications. He did not know-how, with so little assistance, he had been able to carry on so well. Dr. Uowie had been highly recommended by Dr. Sydney Smith, who now occupied a high administrative position under the Egyptian Government. Mr. Lusk called Dr. Bowie, superintendent at the hospital. Witness said he took charge (if the hospital on March 31. 1016. and immediately there occurred two outbreaks of epidemics. Mr. Lusk: You hnd ud assistance? Dr. Bowie: None, except the honorary staff.

Mr. Lusk: How many nights wereyou away from the institution dim'ng your regime?

Dr. Bowie: None. Mr: Lusk: How often in the yesr did you come to town?

Dr. Bowie: Ten times. Mr. Lusk: During that time Vow many patients had you cared for?

Dr. Bowie: Two thousand eight htnoVd and seventy-eight patipnts.

Mr, Lusk: An average of 137 patients per month.

Dr. Bowie: Yes; that is not including out-patients.

Mr. Lusk: Regarding infantile paralysis, in your opinion the treatnunt given by tli<3 matron and advised by you was entirely successful?

Dr. Bowie: Yes. Dr. Smith considered so, and is compiling a. book in which he asked me to assist in piving information Ho said he thougnt iesults were best arrived at throinhoul. the Dominion. Befcrrinir to the Unite case, witness said Dr. Reeve was tho assistant in the operation. Hs found it necessary to remove the soptii; tube, and the parts adjacent. were subject to inflammation. There were also adhesions round the bladder. Mr. Lusk: What do you suggest was the wav the bladder became oponad or snipped ?

Dr. Bowie: It must have been by a tear, or in brnakinn: down the ndhesb:i it became torn. Witness added that he did not remember it being deliberately cut.

Mr. Lusk: And it was evidently necessary to put in a stitch or two? Dr. Bowie: Yes.

Mr. Lusk: What happened in that operation is a thins; that has happened all the world over?

Dr. Bowie: "Yps: I have seen it happen frequently with the most eminent men, and at Edinburgh University." AVitness proceeded to detail the veeessity for the second operation and ns to the drossim; subsequently coming jnvny. Naturally the dressing was done by the nurses, and what took place could happen with the most careful ristor. He had heard of a similar incident happening with the most eminent of surgeons, Rir Frederick Treves— if he remembered aristht —in connection with his own daughter. Mr. Lusk: Did you tell Dr. l?ff.ve that the nintrnn was always talking about Dr. Collins and the nurses?

Dr. Bowie: Yes. I said that she goe& on as if she is suffering from delusions of persecution, and that I had had some experience and that she wont on like that.

Mr. Lusk: Did you say she v/as mental ?

Dr. Bowie: No; I did not say she was mental. Mr. Lusk: And from your experience she was suffering: from delusions of this persecution and that she went on as if she had delusions on these subjects? Dr. Bowie: Yes. Mr. Lusk: Was it a fact that Miss Tait was complaining continually about Dr. Collins and the Clarksons? Dr. Bowie: Yes. Mt. Lusk: She'was always talking of Dr. Collins, and she had a fear of the Clarksons? Dr. Bowie: Yes, and she thought I ■was in lesgue with the nurses to <?o her harm. Mr. Lnisk: Were you in league? Dr. Bowie: Well, I am nrenared that yon should go up and ask the nurses. Dr. Valintine, Inspector-GenerM, was asked: Have you anything to say which might reflect on Dr. Bowie's administration? Dr. Valintine: On the contrary. Air. Lusk: Was it unusual f'>r Dr. Bowie to take charge of the .smallpox ■patient? Dr. Valintine: No. Mr. Lusk: Do you think his aciion was wise in. remaining with the patient? Dr. Valintine: I think he is to be commended on remaining with that patient, because he could easilv hsno evaded it and said that he hail ether duties. In fact, that gonerallv happens in isolated' cases such as this.

The commission will probablv conclude to-morrow, when counsel's addresses will be beard.