HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2083, 27 October 1880, Page 3

HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

The following evidence was taken yesterday after we wont to press : Elizabeth Young, an aunt to the lat-* George Kirkhouse, said she did not know what ho was suffering from when admitted into the Hospital. Ho was in a very weak condition, and was taken to the Hospital by a Mrs Gates and witness. The House Surgeon said he would have to go into the fever ward but did not state what the disease was' Witness was told by some persons outside that he had typhoid fever, and she wrote to her friends at home to that effect. After his death she sent a person named Charles Burns to the Hospital for his clothes, but did not get them. She could not tell the reason why. By Dr. Campbell—Her nephew did not state how his illness was contracted. He was living in a tent while at Weka Pass. It was the head warder at the Hospital who told witness her nephew was suffering from typhoid fever. The House Surgeon did not say so to her. She was told he bad been ill three days before ho came from Weka Pass.

Michael Young, re-called, swore positively that he had not told Dr. Nedwill that there was a man in the next bed to Kirkhouse at the Hospital suffering from a similar complaint. It was a nurse in one of the wards who told witness Kirkhouse had typhoid fever. By Dr. Campbell—A week or two ago Dr. Nedwill called on witness at his bouse and asked what his impression was that Kirkhouse died of, and witness informed him “ typhoid fever.”

Dr, Irvine, recalled, did not regard it a# remarkable that at. one time there should be a large number of cases of typhoid fever in the Hospital, whilst at another time of the year there should be few, if any. He could not attribute any reason for the epidemics. He believed gastrc-enteritis was more common in New Zealand than in England because he bad seen more of it.

Dr. Davies re-called, remembered the admission of George Kirkhouse to the Hospital. Witness described the symptoms of his complaint. Dr. Irvine diagnosed his case, but witness could not say in what manner the case came to be entered in the Hospital books as typhoid because it was not entered by him. It was entered by Mr Hawkes on his own responsibility. Temperature charts were taken in the cases of Mrs Keetley and Kirkhouse, but they were not kept. In witness’s opinion the symptoms in neither case indicated typhoid fever, but gastro-enteritis. He was of opinion that several cases of dysentery and simple fever were reported to the Board of Health as typhoid fever. Witness told Mr Hawkes not to report any cases except typhoid fever to the Board of Health. He was obeying the Hospital Beard in not reporting simple fever. Entries in the admission book were particularised as being incorrect, but witness did not hold himself responsible for them because he did not make them. A new system had been adopted with regard to the admission book, and witness now made the entries, instead of the dispenser as heretofore.

By Dr. Campbell—He was not prompted by anyone not to report cases of typhoid to theßoardof Health. Those of gastro-enteritis were diagnosed by himself and the visiting physician conjointly. Witness made out the death certificates whilst the circumstances were still fresh in his mind. Mr Hawkes re-called, said the house surgeon gave him special instructions as to reporting cases to the Board of Health. Witness reported no cases on his own responsibility. By Dr. Skae—lt was never the custom for witness to report cases until he was told to do so.