A CAUTION TO STRANGERS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 146, 21 November 1874, Page 3

A CAUTION TO STRANGERS.

To the Editor of the Globe. y IR) I write this to inform you, and the public generally that we are still living in the times of barbarism and the dark ages, at least as regards some people. What would you think of sending four distinct times for a doctor, during a period of three days, and at nine p.m. on the third day to get a reply from that individual stating that he would not attend a stranger to him, and that it was no use sending for him. The following facts will explain things as they stand. On Tuesday last my wife was taken very ill, and I was recommended to send for Dr . and early on the evening of that day I sent for him by a trusty messenger, and he was not at home, but the servant promised that he should come as soon as he came home. However he did not come, and later on on that evening he was again sent for. The reply was still that he was not at home, but he should be told as soon as he came home, and that he would probably call early on the next day. The day went past, and no doctor arrived. Accordingly on the Thursday I presented myself at the doctor s residence, and found that he was still "not at home, and was told that I had better leave my name and address on the slate, and that when he came in he would, no doubt, come down This I did, and as he had not arrived at 7 30 p.m., he was once again sent for This time he was at home, and one would have thought after so much obsequiousness

he would then have been ready to attend a sick person. But no ! The reply came, after three days delay, that he did not attend strangers, and that it was useless calling on him. For all this Christian-like man cared, my wife might have died. He was told that it was a very urgent case, hut his only answer was that he "could'nt help that." On the first day he was sent for, why could he not have left this message ?—• "That no strangers would be attended to," and not keep people in suspense hour after hour, expecting his arrival. Such is the conduct of a member of the Medical profession in Christchurch, and I hope, Sir, you will give this publicity, as a caution, if nothing else, to other strangers. Yours, &C, STRANGER. Antigua street, Christchurch, November 20, 1874.