ALLEGED MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.

Evening Star, Issue 3429, 17 February 1874, Page 2

ALLEGED MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.

The hearing of the case Hunt v, Sorley was continued and concluded after we went to press yesterday, the following evidence being given : George William Cole : I am a physician and surgeon, and have bad several years’ experience in fractures of the leg. I examined Mr Hunt’s leg a few days ago. The tibia and fibula were in their normal positions. The foot could be brought at right angles with the shaft of the leg. The great too could be brought in a line with the inner v-orderofthe kncc-oap. Thefoot can neither be dislocated nor dhplncid. The measurements from the internal madeolus to the ball of the heel, and to the first joint of the great toe, were the same in each foot. The measurement from the interna! malleolus to the lower border of the foot was the same in both feet. From the interior border of the tibia to the hist joint of the great toe the distance was shorter in the affected foot. This is caused by the enlargement. There is swelling of the soft fa*ts all up the le*?, I can bwcar positively that the tibia has never been broken or dislocated, and that the fibula has never been dislocated, while there was no evidence of fracture. It was possible for the fibula to be fractured without detection. I should attribute the symptoms I have described to cnronic inflammation, following on undue calling of bloo-1 to the parts by the injury. I have noticed indications of n scrofulous habit about Mr Hunt. Ido not with Dr Huline’s evidence. He said (.he fibula was twisted at an angle, and I consider him in error. I applied the proper test, and found that the heel did not project further backwards in the injured foot. Had t * ie been dislocated forwards, there would have been a very perceptible projection of the bone upon whicb it naturally rest*. In the case of forward dislocation of the tibia, the patient being able to place his heel on tho ground in comequence of the formation of a false joint, the leg must inevitably have been shortened by the height of the bone upon which the tibia naturally rests, I will not positively swear whether the fibula was fracture! or not. I his was the defendant’s case. Mr Strode raid ; “ From the evidence in this case, I am of opinion that the defendant has not, in the treatment of the plaintiff, brought to bear that fair and competent degree of skill that should be brought to bear on such an injury. I will not animadvert upon the evidence now that I have stated my ouinion. There can be no question as to the amount of damages, and judgment wUI be for LIOO and costs.”