HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2085, 29 October 1880, Page 3

HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

The following evidence waa taken yesterday after we went to press : Dr. Campbell atked if Dr. Turnbbll remembered a case in the early part of last year, in which he acted in connection with him (Dr. Campbell), where phrenitis merged into typhoid fever. Witness remembered consulting with him in a case of the nature stated, but was not now prepared to say that he expressed the opinion it was one of inflammation o£ the brain. His diagnosis in M’Laren’s case, he maintained, was accurate, notwithstanding that the Hospital physician bad a better opportunity of judging. He would put a good deal of faith in what an experienced nurse might state, in her opinion, a patient was suffering from. Dr, Campbell—Had yon any conversation withDr.Ned will about this case of MoLaren’s; about the points to bo brought forward today. Witness—Certainly ; I had a conversation with Dr. Nedwill when he told me MoLaron had been sent in by me.

Dr. Campbell—Did you supply him with a list of typhoid cases from the books ? Witness —I gave him a list of the cases of typhoid sent in. The Hospital Board, of which I am a member, cleared the house surgeon of all blame in connection with the certificates of death and admission books.

Dr. Campbell—And after that you supplied the Health officer with information respecting a case of typhoid sent in by yon ? Witness —Yes. Dr. Campbell—And you regard that as fair and above board ? Witness—Yes. Dr. Campbell—You say you consider the ease of M'Laren on a par with those of Keetley and Kirkhonse, do you exonerate the officers in one case and censure them in the Other, which is on a par ? Witness —Yes. Dr. Campbell—l am satisfied you will say anything after that. Dr. Campbell remarked that he had heard of a case in which Dr. Turnbull and Dr. Byrnes diagnosed a case of coma for concussion of the brain by examining the glass eye in a man’s head.

Witness —I never met Dr. Symes —it is untrue from beginning to end. Dr. Campbell —The gentleman told the Sev. Mr Fergusson and myself at Waimate. lam very sorry I offended you; it is a joke, though a true one. Witness —I am not going to be insulted. _ I object to hearsay evidence, which is misleading. Dr. Prins—Do you not think that prior to this commission heing granted by the Government that the Board ought to have received a list of the cases to be inquired into, to give the staff an opportunity of giving an explanation and rebutting them ? Witness —I entirely agree with you. By Dr Ned will—Did not consider violent delirium incompatible with typhoid fever. By Dr. Prins—He would not expect acute delirium in typhoid immediately before death, as the patient would be too exhausted. Dr. Ned will objected to be called upon for evidence where it might bo obtained from any other medical man, and if he was obliged to submit to examination he look d to the Commissioner to protect him and scan carefully every question. The Hospital dispenser produced a prescription for the treatment of the patient McLaren. Dr. Nedwill—l see silicilate of soda prescribed, and I have yet to learn that it is recognised for treatment of phrenitis. The Hospital staff obtained a few moments for consultation, with a view to opposing the production of prescriptions, as different doctors gave different prescriptions. On returning, Dr. Prins reported that the staff, while giving every assistance to the Commissioner, asked that the treatment of patients by them in their professional capacity be not questioned, as there would be no end of the controversy that would follow from this. Dr. Irving stated that he prescribed silioilate of soda in McLaren’s case because he exhibited rheumatic symptoms. Dr. Nedwill was astonished at the staff resisting this, for as medical men they should be prepared for the fullest inquiry. The Hospital Board had made representations through the public prints that they wished to keep nothing back. He wanted to compare the treatment of previous typhoid patients in the Hospital with the treatment in this case, and the investigation would be very unsatisfactory if the health officer had to go away and say the prescriptions were refused him. Dr. Skae agreed with the staff. They were willing to give evidence in the case under investigation, but he did not see why prescriptions in other cases should be asked for. Dr. Nedwill—l think you are standing in the way of the investigation if you don’t allow me to bring out the evidence. Dr, Campbell—lf you really go into the treatment of cases we will bring in a flood of medical men who will prove it to be valueless. . Dr. Skae ruled the evidence to be inadnus•able. Dr. Irving, recalled, said he would prescribe morphia in phrenitis. At this stage the inquiry was adjourned until ton o’clock the following morning. TBI3 DAT. The inquiry was resumed at ten o’clock. Dr. Nedwill referred to two fresh cases for investigation. Dr. Campbell—l have been deputed by the staff, sir, to put before you the fact that, as far as we have gone, the Commission has entered into cases which, according to your own discretion, you have allowed the medical officer of the Board of Health to bring forward, and we can see distinctly that if the Health Officer is allowed to bring fresh cases after he has had time to dream over them and go through the books, the inquiry may bo interminable, and the staff think a special meeting of the Hospital Board and Board of Health, with yourself, Dr. Nedwill, and the staff present, should be held to determine the cases to he brought forward, and not to allow the Health Officer to bring forward cases unless he has better truth of their existence than ho has shown before. You remember, sir, be handed in a list of oases to be investigated on the first day, and I think we are entitled to nek that ho adhere to that, or that a consultation be held. "We do not wish the inquiry to be burked in any shape or form, and we will allow the Health Officer all the information in our power to put his cases before the public, but we are certainly opposed to the mode of procedure followed. Dr. Skae —Can you state. Dr. Nedwill, if there are any other cases you are going to investigate P Can you answer my question ? Dr. Nedwill—Noj I can’t answer your question. Dr. Campbell said the staff would leave the matter in the hands of the Commissioner, but they asked that the inquiry be confined to cases handed in.

Dr Skae —Not to investigate any fresh oases pal cm at the request of the Board ?

Dr. Campbell— If Dp. Ned will can show (hero is reasjnablo grounds for enquiry, we hare no objeotion, bat I think, judging from what has transpired a curb should be put on Dr. Ned will, as he has been too impetuous. Dr. Ned will said there was not a single ease he had derived from the Hospital books, and ho co sidered it would be a hardship to bind him to any number of cases. . Dr. Skae—There should bo a list furnished to me that I may know what is to be inves'igated. _ Dr. Campbell—On behalf of the staff X still insist that Dr. Nedwill answer one way or the other. , , , Dr, Prm—You, Dr. Skae, ought, by the proper mode o> procedure, to have had a copy of the indie!merle i i jour pocket on coming from Wellington. We come here without the slightest idea of what is coming before us, but we are ready to defend ourselves and answer any questions he may put to us. Wo do not want to screen ourselves behind the Board or anything of that sort. Dr. Skae—You have had plenty of time, Dr. Nedwill, to examine the Hospital books, having had them in your possession for two days, and you ought now to be in a position to state the oases you wish to he inquired into, and if you can’t do so we must ask the Board to, otherwise this will be like the Long Parliament.

Dr. Nedwill Although these Hospital books have been in my posiession two nights, you must remember I have to examine a great many witnesses, and I have not had time to look up all the cases. I think I should not have any objeotion raised, or be debarred from having the oases investigated. Dr. Campbell maintained that the entries of fever in the dispenser’s book went for nothing, although they were being brought forward, and it wes of no use Dr. Nedwill hunting out evidence of a mythical kind. Dr. Nedwill—l must take exception to tho attitude of Dr. Campbell, and other members of the staff. They have taken up the position you should occupy. Over and over again they have told you these entries of typhoid are not typhoid, but it is for you to satisfy yourself on that subject. If you insist on it it I won’t bring fresh oases. Dr. Skae—What I ask you to do is to carry out the instructions of your Board, and bring forward your cases now. D.-. Nedwill —At this moment? Dr. Skae—Yes. Dr. Prins—l am unable to continue hero, sir. I have been very unwell, and physically I cannot stand it. Dr. Skae—lt is a frightful waste of my time, because I have a great number of cases pending. Dr. Nedwill —In consideration of your time I will say that I will bring no more cases. Dr. Campbell—We cannot accept that. Ho is putting the responsibility on you- I ask you to put the break on him. Dr, Skae—l do not ask you to have any consideration for me, hut I think what the staff says is quite reasonable. Dr. Nedwill—Well, I will promise to bring no more cases.

Mr Gordon, secretary to the Board of Health, produced books and a list of infectious diseases reported. Some of the cases were reported by others than doctors. Dr. Towuend challenged an imputation oast upon him of reporting oases. He had reported every case of typhoid fever ho had attended.

Mary Kennedy, living in New street, said she was taken ill on the 12th February, and was attended by Dr. Grimes, who said she had typhoid fever. Her little boy was also taken ill with typhoid, and Mary Bonnet, who had nursed them, was taken ill with typhoid, and they were taken to the Hospital, where Dr. Townend attended them. There were two other oases of typhoid in New street, both atterided by Dr. Townend. They all recovered.

Mary Bonnet said she had nnrsed the last witness, and they were sent to the Hospital, and attended by Dr. Townend. There were two patients, named Polly Morris and Mrs Beatty, suffering from fever. The disease the patients were suffering from was not stated on the bed cards.

By Dr. Campbell—Witnese was not told by Dp. Townend or any other of the medical men that ehe had typhoid fever. Since leaving the Hospital she had been sent for by Dr. Nedwill and called at his house. He wanted to know everything about her illness, and asked if Dr. Townend had told her it was typhoid fever.

Mrs Beatty stated that she was formerly a patient in the Hospital, Buffering from typhoid fever. She was not sent in by Dr. Nedwill. Mrs Carmichael, a late nurse in the Hospital, remembered Mary Bennet being an inmate, and judged her to be suffering from fever. She described the symptoms, but could not say whether they indicated typhoid fever, and would not venture an opinion. By Dr. Prins—There were five or six others in tbe ward.

Margaret Morgan said she was an inmate of tho Hospital from the Ist March to the 24th of June last. She did not know what was wrong with her, but when she went in she thought the house surgeon told her she was feverish. She remembered Mary Bennet, an inmate of the same ward, but could not •ay what was wrong with her. She had no recollection of her having told a different story to any one else, or having talked over the case.

[Left sitting.^