THE LATE INQUEST.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2196, 21 May 1870, Page 2

THE LATE INQUEST.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, —The inquest touching the death of Janet King opened up some serious public considerations, as it also furnished some glimpses into grave social defects. Whether she met her death through the incompetence of the midwife engaged, as was endeavored to be demonstrated by the medical witnesses, was the question which the jury had to decide, and I do not hesitate to say they wisely dec died in the negative ; still an uncomfortable impression lingers in men’s minds that this poor woman’s life was sacrificed to the ugly system that obtains in Dunedin. I confess I do not like the system by which midwives supersede properly-qualified medical practitioners in these delicate operations; but when medical attendance can only be secured by the payment of ridiculously high fees, it is easy to understand the poorer classes seeking assistance in other quarters. We may reasonably assume that they calculate the risk, and arc prepared to undergo it in preference to the charges of medical men. I see nothing extraordinary in this : on the contrary, 1 see how necessary to the working classes with the limited means at their dis])osal are persons of the Waterhouse type. But terrible is her responsibility. If she make a mistake, the whole medical fraternity pounce upon her, like hungry wolves ready to devour her. We can understand their professional feelings, and the willing sacrifices they would make of all meddling midwives to their resentment. Is it so very extraordinary an occurrence—death in childbed ? Do not the same things occur under the most painstaking operation of legitimate medical practitioners ? Do they never make mistakes mistakes from the penalty of which their professional names alone protect them ? But there was no evidence—other than medical, which I may be allowed to question—to prove that Mrs Waterhouse did make a mistake—that her treatment was not strictly compatible with that to which a medical man would have resorted ; and I believe the jury returned a wise verdict. Sir, it is melancholy to reflect upon the whining of the Coroner—himself one of that medical profession ho conceives to be so indecently outraged—over the verdict of the jury, and it is painful to notice the efforts made to append a rider to their verdict, not only condemning the interference of midwives, but evidently to bring Mrs Waterhouse within the range of the criminal law. These things illustrate how far professional zeal will outrun discretion and propriety. The jury, however-, were fortunately proof against the insidious efforts of the judge, and gave a general verdict. The Coroner’s remark that “ the sooner juries are done away with the better,” may be forgiven, when we consider it proceeded from disappointment; but I may be allowed to state that the public will assuredly not endorse the sentiment. If juries are fallible, to what other tribunal shall we appeal ? Certainly the present case could be quoted as demonstrating the inutility of uniting the offices of judge and jury ; for it is evident that Mrs Waterhouse would have got more than she deserved had she been left to the tender mercies of the judge. But, sir, apart from the ci nibbling and peevish resentment; qf medical men, there are considerations suggested by this subject of real interest and importance to the public. Janet King, assisted by a midwife, died in child bed. Whilst acquitting the midwife of contributing to her death by commission or omission, I say the system which renders the employment of midwives necessary, is a bad one. The high fees evidently prohibit the working classes calling in duly qualified medical men in these emergency cases, and the midwife, as a consequence, becomes a necessary part of the vicious system. The system should be abolished, hut the interests of the pqqrej! clashes demaqd that; tliqre should be another- substituted upon a broader equally cheap, and safer basis. A lyiug-in hospital, supported partly by voluntary contributions, and partly by fees paid by patients resorting to it, should be at all events established. I suggest the payment of fees by the patients themselves because it would do away with that sense of humiliation which attends the receipt of charity, and wonld theref.ire popularise the institution. But to attract tlie c’asses intended to be benefitted, these fees must bear no proportion to those at present imposed by our medical men. ] believe if a hospital v r ere established the Grilling in mid wives would be 'no longer felt to be necessary ; at all events it would be soothing to feel that child bed agonies like those of poor Janet King, would meet with judicious treatment at the hands of duly qualified medical practitioners. The public will then, at least have performed a duty.—l am, &e. Balcu.