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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2032, 5 March 1908, Page 1

[Corrospoiitioneo on public matters is wolcomod at all times, but it must bo distinctly understood that this |ournul is in no way associated with ilu> opinions ol its correspondents.] CILNSERVA'JHVE SURGERY. (To the Editor.) Sir—There, is one sentence in D>'Morrison’s letter in your issue of Tuesday which is worth attention (being a si ranger to Gisborne I am unable to judge of the letter as a whole), and that sentence is that it is easier to take a leg oil than to save it. So far as my observation goes, and judging from the .standpoint of a visitor from England, it appears to me that the people. of New Zealand give far more credit and praise to the surgeons who perform serious operations than they do to those who avoid the use of the knife in all such cases as experience teaches will recover by tire natural processes. Ouo hears of not hing but operations in Now Zealand,.when the doctors are the subject of discussion. Ido not think they form at all an interesting subject: but the folk here seem to talk about them a good deal; One never hears that so and so is skilful with the stethoscope* or patient and cautious in avoiding surgical interference; or a great man of general scientific attainments; in fact, the doctor who refrains from operating on all possible occasions, and oil the slightest pretext, is regarded as more or loss of a coward. " “Afraid of using the knife.” Careful and patient observation and treatment gain no popularity. Free operating being so far more striking and exacting, makes a man popular and gains him a name for “courage with the knife.” AA’o all know that there are occasions when surgical operation is absolutely and often immediately necessary to save life, or otherwise incurable suffering, but it cannot be that such cases are so infinitely more common in New Zealand than in England as to cause the marked excess of surgical operations which take place in New Zealand compared with districts of similar population in England. There are natural processes of recovery a.ud repair which only require time and protective care to ensure their ultimate success without mutilation, and many diseases exist which are not in any way a menace to life eleven comfort; these natural processes should be allowed to work until it is evident that they cannot succeed before the limbs are amputated and serious operations undertaken; and those harmless disorders, even if they take the form of “new growths” or what are usually termed “tumors,” should be left alone so lonv as neither comfort or life is threatened, and the best surgeon is the man whose experience lias taught him when to leave nature a free hand, and when to interfere. Help nature in every way by all means, but some of New Zealand’s surgery reminds me of lynch law taking the work out of nature’s band by undue interference with her proeossos of cure.—l am, etc., A VISITOR.

THE RECENT DROAVNING FATALITY. [Tj the Editor.] Sir, —I have carefully read your leader and the correspondence of Mr. AV. S. Limn and “Justice” in reference to the drowning incident on Sunday last. Independent- of the remarks and opinions contained therein, an additional criticism will be beneficial to the community-, and especially to those dwelling on the sections overlooking Harris’s Rend. From early morning until duple (every Sunday)' the residents, and those in' boats (many containing females), travelling upon the river are annoyed by the sight of the bathers, of all ages! in a semi-nude state, sonic with no apparel. who when not swimming are rolling and tumbling about on tho bunk, uttering language which is certainly not fit for a drawing-room, and audible to those living near. Many have the outrageous impudence to cling to the gunwale of the boats, and ieer if remonstrated with. It may be enjoyable to them, but I am certain it is iio pleasure to the neighbors who have families, or to those travelling on the river. If tlie police were given power and instructions to regulate a time for battling, and that decent covering is worn, also a supply of life-saving apparatus as suggested, >and carried out the duties as well as they did in trying t-o recover the body of the unfortunate young man who lost his life, there will bo fewer or no accidents, and I am confident that there will he no necessity for complaints, or for the whole of the police force to be ill- attendance.—l am, etc.. D. MURRAY.