A DOCTOR'S BILL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 213, 26 May 1866, Page 2

A DOCTOR'S BILL.

Dr Henry Jackson, once well known to the inhabitants of this District as House Surgeon to the Dunstan District Hospital, appears to have acquired a large amount of unenviable notoriety at Hokitiki. We extract the following from the report of a case in the ' West Coast Times' heard before the Resident Magistrate, Mr G. G. Fitzgerrald, in which Dr Jackson appeared as p aintill': — Jackson v. Moss.—This case (which was brought before the Court on the 19th and remanded on account of the illness of the plaintiff) was for the purpose of recovering £IOO, the balance of a sum of £238 10s Gd. charged to defendant for medical attendance, medicines, &c, performed and supp ied to Messrs John and Robert Moss, at Grey Town. The plaintill", Dr Jackson, attended the brothers of Mr Patrick Moss for some time, lirstly at the store, and afterwards wheii they were removed to his private hospital, and pleaded that besides ordinary attendance, the nature of their complaint rendered a great deal of extra attention necessary, and necessitated the destruction of a quantity of mattresses and blankets, 4e. This being taken into account, swelled his bill to the above large amount, which being taxed by the defendant, resulted u the present action. The following is a i rue copy of Dr Jackson's bill:— Jan. 31 to Feb. B—To medical attendance, medicines, 4c., performed and supplied u> Messrs John and Robert Moss, when in your store, during this period, at your request and by your order 24 0 0 Feb. 8 to Feb. 17 —To medical attendance, medicines. 4c, for Mr John Moss, when in private hospital, at your request, and by your order, during this period, twenty days, at £2 2s 42 0 0 To wines and spirits supplied during the like period for the patient 10 0 0 Feb. 8 to March 29--To medical attendance, medicines, 4c, for Mr Robert Moss, in private hospital, during this period, at your request, and by your order, fifty days at £2 2s .". 105 0 0 To extra attendance during this period, necessary tonics and spirits for the patient during this period 21 10 0 Mattresses, blankets, calico, and linen destroyed, after being used by Robert Moss, as follows : 3 pair blankets 38s 5 14 0 18 yards calico, 2s Gd 2 5 0 6 mattresses, 12s Gd 3 15 0 Sheeting 3 6 G £238 10 6 Ck. By cash, 30 0 0 Do 25 0 0 Do i 35 4 0 Receipted bill 10 17 6 Account contra 10 17 6 £lll 19 0 Reduced to give jurisdiction, £ll 19 0 £IOO 0 0 The plaintiff's case was conducted by Mr M'Gregor whilst Mr South appeared for the defenda.it. Dr Jackson, the first witness C;l Hiajfit posed that he a qualified ■ a member of the R.C.P., the 31st January he was requested Suscombe to call on Mr John Moss, vs\o was then lying ill at the store of his brother, Pat:'"': Moss. On the 3rd February Mr Robe.' Moss was taken ill, and he als" attended 'm professionally on the Bth. The two brothers were removed to his private hospital., his books would show how long they rem ned there. All the entries were made by a Dr Drake. The charges made in a ; vate hospital

are according to the case. Should charge Mr John Moss 30s a-day for twenty days. When that gentleman was admitted his appearaixnce indicated he had typhus fever of a relapsing character. The symptoms denoted this, as the pulse was 120, .skin and lips dry, and no appetite. During his stay in the hospital, he foil into a low state, hut was not unusually so. Found it necessary to administer stimulants, in the shape of brandy and port wine. These were given every half-hour. Dr Drake administered them according to his (witness's) directions. Mr John Moss at last got better, and left the country for change of air. He went to Auckland. Mr, iloberfc Moss, however, received no benefit from the treatment he received in the hospital, but got worse and worse, and much weaker. When he was admitted, witness did not think he could live. His

pulse was 1-15, and his appearance denoted Mjiat he was suffering from typhus fever of jjAe worst type. Witness was compelled W( provide stimulants, consisting of brandy Sad the yolk of eggs, to be administered every five minutes. Diarrhoea and involuntary evacuations ensued, which necessitated the frequent removal of the mattress and bedding. This was a great loss to witness, who besides had to visit him ten or twelve times each day. For such attendance he (witness) would cons:der btnmlf justified in e'lar./.n; turn; gmurus a-diy. Ilc:ii:'mi)ci\:;l that Mr Patrick Moss sent both ..raiuiy and sherry from his store for the use of his brother, but the character of the spirit was too harsh. The patient could not retain it on his stomach. Witness informed Mr P. Moss of this, and made use of stimulants provided by himself instead. Thinks it was about the 2Sth of March when Mr Robert Moss left the hospital, his stay having thus extended over fifty days. Considered that £IOO would be a low

charge for such attendance, and .£2O for e ktra attendance, as a man had to remain with hiin day and night. Cross-examined by Mr South: Defendantpaid£l26 lis 6d.on account. Witness was certain that neither ot the Messrs Moss's beds wore in a filthy state at any time. He was never remonstrated with on the state of their blankets. The blankets on Mr R. Moss's bed were sometimes changed six or seven times a-day. Witness was never in a state of intoxication when attending to his patients, and was not acquainted with a man named Loudon. The patients were at all times supp ied with abundance of food —beef tea as often as they wished it. A special attendant was provided for his brother by Mr Patrick Moss. Witness always att-ndt-d to his patients, and never postponed a visit until ten o'clock the next morning, when his services were re paired the preceding night. Mr P. Moss never complained of the stench arising from his brother's bed. Will swear it. The blankets were changed as often as requisite. When any of the hospital attendants were guilty of drunkenness, they were instantly discharged. Mr P. Moss did supply a certain amount of stimulants for his brother's use. He might have sent 200 bottles in all, but witness could not say how it was consumed, unless by John and Robert Moss. Knew a party named Fopperly, but cou d not say whether he is skilled as a medical man or not. Should consider 15s a visit, including medicine a very low charge. The usual fee for a first "visit is a guinea, and half a guinea for succeeding visits. Patieuti admitted into the hospital are charged at the rate of 30s aday. The books of the firm arc kept by Dr Drake, and are always made up after a case is concluded. Never told Mr Cotterili there were no books kept. Mr R. Moss suffered from bed sores, but the blankets were never left so long unchanged as to adhere to them. There are three servants attached to the hospital; one of them, named Little, is paid by the Government. Witness admitted that he was not only hospital surgeon, but surgeon to the gaol, and native medical attendant also. There are two wardsmen in the hospital; one for night and the other for day work. Never gave defendants credit for 136/. lis. 6d. Dr. Drake keeps all the accounts. Witness only drew the cheques. Did not consider 126/. lis. 6d. enough for his services, notwithstanding the large amount of wines and spirits sent in for the use of the patients by Mr. Moss. Never sent in any other bill to Mr. Moss - He once performed an operation for Mr. R. Moss, The knife used was a common "bistoury," and was properly edged for the occasion. Drs. Cotterill and Drake were present. The former did not say the knife should have been sharpened. He was not offered the use of a grindstone to sharpen the bistoury on. During the operation nothing was said about the bluntness of the instrument. The remark might have been made without his hearing it. For about eight days Mr. R. Moss was delireous. He suffered from mental alarm, experienced great nausea, and vomited. Do not think 10/. a week sufficient remuneration for such case 3. Large sores made their appearance on Mr. R. Moss shortly after he was admitted into the hospital. Remember telling Mr. P. Moss that he would not be answerable for consequences if that gentleman perin taking him away. Do not recelRct that four days after removal he was 'convalescent. Admitted that Dr. Fopperly did change the treatment (after Mr. R. Moss left the hospital) so far as to sew up the wounds in the patient's hack. Mr. R. Moss never complained to his brother, in the presence of witness, that he had been neglected, and never said that he had a, " terror" of witness. Dr. Drake, the next witness examined, stated that he was an assistant of Dr. Jackson's, but not a registered medical man.

Remembered some person connected with Mr. P. A!oss calling in Dr. Jackson to attend upon his brothel's. The first visit was made to Mr. John Moss on the 31st, and the attendance was continued up to the Bth February. Mr. Robert Moss was also a patient, although in his ease the attend ance did not commence until the 2rd. : Reckoning the visits paid to both patients, Dr. Jackson had to charge for fourteen days and a half. According to the ledger 11)/. Is. should be paid for such attendance Un the Bth the two patients were admitted into the hospital. John Moss remained in until the 27th, a period of twenty days, and was closely attended on in the meantime. Remember Mr. Moss supplying certain wines ami spirits for the use of his brothers. On the 15th February some were served out to the attendants for the use of the two patients : on the 21st six, bottles; on the 24th, half a dozen of porter and four bottles of brandy; and on the 25th, four bottles of brandy and six bottles of porter. All this was for the use of the Messrs. Moss. Still referring to the ledger, the witness stated that on the 20th March eight bottles of brandy and ten yards of calico were served out for the same two ; on the 21th, four bottles of port wine; and on the 27th, seven bottles of brandy. The last item was supplied by Mr. Moss, who received payment for the s mie. Inc iHcrpe.ice of the state Sir. U. Moss w.ii .n, thirteen mattresses had to be destroyed, only six, however, were charged for. Never saw Dr. Jackson thoroughly intoxicated. Witness assisted at the operation performed on Mr. R. Moss. The knives were not blunt, although they might have been sharper; but it was impossible to get them set at such a place as the Grey. Besides the mattresses, six pairs of blankets were they cost from 255. to 31s. per pair. Cross-examined by Mr. South: Considered the Messrs. Moss were suffering from typhoid fever: should judge so from state of pulses. They were the first patients admitted into the hospital. A man named James Cook, who was suffering from lunacy, was admitted on the 11th : he was perfectly quiet. Another was admitted shortly afterwards, in a state of delirium tremens. Did not think his presence was injurious to the brothers Moss, as they were sepcrated by the length of the building. Not more than four or five patients were admitted during the time the brothers Uoss were there. The brandy supplied by Mr. was not good, but the porter was very fair. Witness served out to the wardsman as much as three bottles of of brandy a day for the Mosses. Did not see b. i patients drink it. but can swear that Or. Jackson ordered it; also that John Moss has dr ink three bottles of porter in twelve hours. Would swear that during the operation on Mr. Moss no remarks were made up n the bluntness of the instruments. Did hear afterwards that such a remark had been made. Quantities of meat were used in the manufacture of beef tea for the patients, as butchers' bills of 54'. for two months testified.

James Nicliolls, a wardsman of the hospital, corroborated the first part of the testimony of the preceding witnesses. Only the patients partook of the stimu ants supplied, except occasionally when Mr. Moss was present, and he (witness) was employod cleaning the ward, when that gent eman would ask him to have a "nip," and would take one himself.

Cross-examined by Mr. South: Can swear that the Messrs. Moss have drunk two bottles of brandy in twelve hours, and a3 much as three bottles and eighteen eggs in twenty-four hours. They were in a very low state at the time. The greatest quantity of brandy ever administered to the two was two bottles in twelve hours.

Dr. Beswick, on being examined, deposed that he considered 20/. to be a fair price lor fifteen days' attendance upon two gentlemen suffering from low fever of a bad type. For attending t%vice or three times a day upon a sick person, should think that 30s. or 21. might be charged, and no extortion displayed. Not having had any experience in private hospitals, could not say what patients should be charged who were admitted into them. Considered stimulants to be absolutely necessary to recover a person in a low state of fever, especially if he was much reduced : then large quantities of brandy have little or no effect. Had known patients drink a bottle of brandy daily. This closed the case for the plaintiff. For the defence, Patrick Moss, sworn, deposed that he was a storekeeper at Greytown, and brother to the two Messrs. Moss who were treated by Jackson." Seme time ago they came down from Auckland, and commenced digging. Both unfortunately fell ill, having caught that fever peculiar to the coast.

Examined by Mr. South : My brother Bob rode down from the North Beach on the 21th January, and breakfasted with me, but complained of being unwell. I called in Dr. Jackson, who attended him, and also my other brother as well. The latter fe'l sick on the 3rd of February.' On the 11th the doctor proposed that they should be removed to his pi'ivate hospital, refusing any longer to attend upon them at the store, as there was nob room enough. He also said that his expenses would not be so heavy were they p'acsd immediately under his charge. On the Bth of February they were removed to the hospital. Could not say what state they were in when they left my store, as I did not see them go. During the day I visited them at the hospital, and saw them lying close together, both in great pain. Some persons in the room said it wivs cruelty to keep them so close that each could witness the other's sufferings, so they were separated. During their stay at the hospital

I sent up twelve'dozen of M arzetti's porter, j sixteen bottles of sherry, three bottles of j syrupaJfive gallons Martell's pale brandy, j and either four of five gallons of port wine j—in al two hundred and twenty-one bottles of liquor, I used to take a few bottles at a time up to the hospital, and either leave them on a table or give them to a servant named Jimmy. I daily visited my-b-others, ami found they received no benefit from the attendance of .Dr. Jaekson. Every day they got worse. I heard my brother Bob complain of the irregularity with which the meals were served, and that he often had to wait for his food until Dr. Jackson had been attended to. The blankets were very foul, and emitted a stench that I sickened on approaching them. Dr. Jackson was remonstrated with several times on their condition. There were two servants appointed to wait upon my brothers, one of them by day and the other by night. My own ( seryanfc, Loudin, was also there part of the time, I remember there was a delirious patient in the hospital, who was very violent; so much so that I was afraid to go nerr the place. He made a dreadful noise, howling and raving, and : my brothar begged to be taken away, for he could not bear it. The man was afterwards handcuffed, and tied down to a stretcher, but still m i le a fearful noise. I

f ipresouted to fcje aciuudaui; cue uoocssioy oi having him removed, but my complaints were of no avail, a-s he remained until the delirium had passed away. I remember to have seen the blaclkets on my brother's bed changed once. Dr. Jackson's aocounfc was presented to me by Mr. Drake, at my stere : there was no one else present at the time. I once paid 30/. ou account, but saw from the sum total that the bill was much more than I had anticipated it would have been. lam sure the bill would not have been so heavy had my brothers remained at the store instead of going to the hospital. My brother John went in sane and came out of the hospital insane. Accompanied by Mr. Nathan, I called upon the doctor, and told him that I intended to remove my brother Bob, when he replied that if such was done he would not answer for the consequences, and washed his hands of all responsibility I cannot swear that Dr. Jackson saw me about his account before legal proceedings were taken by him, but his brother did, and requested me to draw a bill on my j father for 100/. This 1 refused to comply with, and received a summons in consequence. I remember having once asked the wardsman to take a little brandy, but that was just after he had finished cleaning my brother's bed, and feeling sick myself through the stench, I thought a nobbier would do neither of us any harm. The brandy was the very best that cou'd be procured. I took my brother Bob away from the hospital, and three days after he was convalescent. Dr. Fopperley attended him, and sewed up the wouud in his tJigh. Cross-examined by Mr. Macgregor: I remember Mr. Drake presented ° the bill, for it was not an agreeable circumstance, and we had a few words. I gave him 30/. on account up to date. I understood Dr. Jackson to say my brother had typhus fever of the worst type. I believe that opiates were administered to him very frequently. My brother John did not leave the hospital all right, for he came out insane.

Dr. Cotterell, sworn, deposed : I am a licentiate of the Apothecaries' Hall, Londou. In answer to a question by Mr. South: I am not a member of the College of Surgeons, London. I am not registered in New Zealand. I am not aware that there is a court of registration in Nov Zealand. I am slightly acquainted with both the plaintiff and defendant. I have seen Dr. Jackson's private hospital. It is about thirty feet long, the walls ten • feet high, and an iron roof. I was present at an operation performed by Dr. Jackson on Mr. Robert Moss. Dr. Drake, James Nichol, and and a man named Daniel Wright, were also present. Did not hear any person after the operation make any remark touching the state of, the knife. Think there was something! passed between Dr. Jackson and himself self afterwards. I asked Mm whether it would not be better to have used one of Liston's bistouries. There were three present, Dr. Jackson. Drake, and self. Will not swear that I never said the instrument was not a fit one. I reside at the same house as Dr. Jackson at Hokitiki. We are great friends, and certainly kept on that side, Dr. Jackson being a Christian and Mr. Moss a Jew. on the score of religion a:one. I don't think I ever said that 10/. per week was sufficient remuneration for attendance and medicine in a private hospital. Could not swear that I had a a conversation with Mr. Moss about the exhorbitant charges of Dr. Jackson. Cross-examined by Mr. Macgregcr : Always observed that the hospital was kept clean and neat. It was weL built. Could not say whether the knife used at the operation was sharp or not. Could tell if 1 saw it. (Knife handed to witness, who declared it was sharp enough.) Mr. South : Being sharpened since, doubtless. Mr. Macgiegor : Oh, Mr. South! i 3 it likely 1 Dear mo! Mr. South : Nothing more so. Hyam Edward Nathan deposed : I remember the Messrs. Moss in Dr. Jackson's hospital. I have seen them both there. On my first visit I noticed a very peculiar smell. I was induced to go there because 1 heard there were two Jewish young men laid up, so I considered it my duty to visit them. I am not a particular friend of the Moss family- The place was in a very disagreeable state, and a bad odour

emanated from it : was taken ill myself after a few visits. Noticed one of the mattresses in a very filthy condition. The odour pervading the place induced me to forego my visits to Messrs. Moss. I don't ivuieinbiT reuionstrjting with Dr. Jackson on iliu statu of tin Hospital, but did speak : to Mr. Patrick Muss, and advised him to! take his bruthor uwoy. Ou the night before vo went up to the hospital, and there saw Dr. Jaeksuu, who stood by the side of the bay's bed, uud said he would not answer for consequences if we attempted to remove him Next morning we prepared a stee'cher ■ml went up to the hospital, when a considerable disturbance to ik place there. I was taken by the shoulders and thrust out of the place by Dr. Jackson's brother, who afterwards picked up a stick and threatened to beat me. We then removed Mr. R. Moss, and upon examining him found a wonnd in tho baek large enough to bury a hen's egg in and cover it up out of sight. Cross-examined by Mr. Macgregor: T am not a doctor. lam an auctioneer, but have had much experience among th ■ sick- I have not had much experience in hospital nutters, but hj .ving visited some in Otago. a'ways noticed they were kept remarkably c ean. Daniol Wright, being sworn, deposed : I am a miner, and have b'.en an inmate of 'V Jae'Si) i's lio-pital. I was charged at tliu rat of 10/. P r week during my stay there iiemmiW an operation being performed on Mr R Moss. The wouud was situate in the th'ck of the thigh. Drs. Ooit;riii, Jackson, and Drake were present. \s near as I can rec licet there were some ra marks made ab nit the state of the knives Dr Ootterili remarking that they ought to be kept sharper. I believe he did say they blunt. I never saw Dr. Jackson downright liruuk, but have seen him "three pats sp ung" in the hospital The knife produced is not the one with which the opera tiou was performed. I never saw either of the kuives hjw produced before, I believe neither were used during the operation in question The one used was decidedly blunt. It would not enter at the first attempt. Dr. Jackaou had tu u»e it with a sawing motion to make it enter.

Herman Loudin deposed : lam a general dealer, aad was employed by Mr. Nathan to attend on the brothers Moss, at the hospital. It was on a Sunday night when 1 commenced my duties, and 1 remained there fir a fortnight. The brothers were very id, Robert especially being low and delirious, and the doctor said he could not live long. Ou the second night ha was worse, and Ut. Jackson gave me instructions to call him (tiie doctor) up if any change took place in the pitient. During the night a change occurred that frightened ma, so I called Dr. Drake, wh> said, "All right; I will call the doctor." I then went back to Robert, but tho d ictor did uot como until 10 o'clock the next morning When he came he real irked upon the state of the b'an.kets, and sad thy must be ehiinged at once. This, however, was uot done until jthe day after Sometimes the food issued to patients was very bid ; the beef tea especially was tasteless. Even Dr. Jackson noticed this, and reprimanded the cook. Dr. Jackson usually visited the patients every morning, but seldom during the day. j (Will bo concluded in our next.)

Heroic Conduct of a Cmuv—Thc following is toLded in i-Ue '.! L(i*>.tV>. '('••.. •■. Mercury':—" At die Tlisdon Tei rv, on Monday last, a man, almost blind, thinking the punt was at the wharf, walked out to ibe end of the flap, *hi«'h giving way, lie was precipitated into the water. Tho punt was meanwhile in the middle of the river, and the accident was not heard hy those on board. The splasb, however, av roused the attention of the <ddor Mi'S ; Jennings, who rushed tn the spot and j called to the man, who was struggling ; n the wa+er, at the ■:« i.inv. calling to l*--v father in the punt. ]f«'r signal, h-vwevcr, w r is misunderstood, and il""- poor follow tiaving mis-scd the rope, was gradually vetting into a moro dangrrou? position, and becoming fart exhausted, when the HiiJe girl jumped into the dingy, and although able to pull only one paddle, .-•■ he managed to work the lil •■!••■> l»>.il round to the.spot, and will) groat pre- of' mind succeeded in clutching tfi« drowning man by the collar, just as lie Mas -linking. Her lictle strength w.*i« Iwrely sufficient to sustain his weight with the Lead just out of water, hut in tbis position sheoo'iragoously held on until the punl returned-—a period of about ten minute;:—and she was relieved of her burden. Tbe poor man waj quite insensible when take-.; from the water, and it is feared that the ease will terminate fatally. . The conduct of the livtle child war; much applauded by all, and on being asked how she managed to get the boat round, her reply was, " I never was in a boat before in ray life, sir, but I couldn't help pulling."