THE DOCTORS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 614, 7 June 1876, Page 2

THE DOCTORS.

lo the Editor of the Oloho,

Sir, —Through the medium of your paper, I would beg to call public attention to a few statements contained in Mr Ross’s letter, of 29 th ult.

_ The most important one being that he insists on calling himself “ a neutral party, having nothing to do with the profession.” Well, to a certain extent this may be true (and, from what I know of that gentleman, I consider it most improbable that he will ever have any direct connection with that profession). But it remains for the public to judge as to the extent of his present neutrality, when they are informed that Mrs Ross has practised in Christchurch as a midwife for some considerable time, which, to most minds, will certainly mak e all but a lie of his unprincipled assertion. Next comes his unique illustration of “areal qualified tailor or bootmaker spoiling a coat or pair of boots, through ignorance.” Why, such a thing is quite absurd. Then again, he speaks about the hona-Jide doctor of medicine being careless or deficient in the art of midwifery, thereby placing both life and death at stake. Well, sir, to my mind, I consider it quite bad enough to have ones life at stake, saying nothing about your death being given into the bargian. Then he finishes up with a rambling story about quacks, omitting his own wife, of course, because she carries a box of instruments and a few papers and charges £2 2?. (N' t a bad charge at all, when we consider how far different the nature of her papers are to that of Drs Mary Walker and Miss Garrett). But before Mr Ross says anything more on this subject he must first ascertain if all the medical gentlemen practising in Christchurch possess diplomas. Most of us hive heard strange rumors concerning this, and with the exception of Mr Towuend all are licensed, but if Mr Townend had come to Christchurch when he went to a wellknown hospital in London, he might have got the benefit of an Act passed in New Zealand about that time.

In conclusion, I must say that foolish as Mr Ross’s letter seems, he has nevertheless made rapid progress, more so in writing, for less than a year ago he used to call in the assistance of an amanuensis.

By giving the above a space in your columns, you will oblige. Yours, &s., S A IS BRIDGE.

Chriatchurch, June 6th.