DEATH AT SEA

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 230, 29 September 1926, Page 3

DEATH AT SEA

CHARGES AGAINST A DOCTOR. A LLEG ATI 0 NS OF NEGLECT.

[Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. Allegations about the way in which the ship's doctor on board tlie Ionic looked after a member of the crew during an illness to which he succumhed on the way to New Zealand were made in the Mugistrate's Court, when Mr G. W. Riddell, acfcmg as Coroner, conducted an inquiry . into tlie death of Reginald Denniston, aged 47, who was employed as assistant steward on the ship. Captain. Jackson said he visited the quarters of tlie sick man daily. and so far as he could see Denniston had been attended to properly all the •time. No complaints in regard to his treatment had. been made. Herbert Edwin Barnsley, assistant steward on the Ionic, stated that on August 24th, Denniston complained tliat_ he felt ill. The witness advised him to see the doctor, but the latter could not be found, so he advised Denni.3ton to go to bed. On the following morning Denniston still caiuplained, but up to that time the ship's doctor had not iseen him. That officer visited a man named Y altor, but did not go near Denniston ■ till 3 p.m. tliat day, when Denniston 's illness had been formally rejiortec!. The witness heard ' I>r. Brennon say he would give the patient something to- mahe him pei-spire. Next day was very hot. Denniston complained of the beat of the sleeping apartment and the witness took him on deck to get some fresh air. He was placed in a chair covered with bed clothes. At 4 p.m. he was taken hack to ihe bunk. On August 27th Denniston was remcved to the hospital, where the witness visited him three times. As a result of these visits ihe _ witness laid a complaint to Captain Jackson and said he intended to re]x>rt ihe matter when the vetssel arrived at Wellington. Captain Jackson said he would hqld-the witness responsiblp for Denniston', s condition, . as he had taken him on deck and had given him ice water, eontrary to the doctor1 s instructions. The captain also said he intended to take proceedings against the witness for vmderinining ihe discipline of tho crew. When tlie witness again visited Denniston in tlie hospital, Dr Brennon toki him that Denniston was jn a. seiflous condition, and that be (tlie witness) was responsible. The witness then told the ehief steward that he intended to charge Dr. Brennon with neglect. •Denniston died on September 5th and was buried at sea,. In i eply to a question, the witness i said h© did not ask the doctor 's permission to take Denniston on deck. ihe doetoi- seemed to regard his condition as trivial. The inquiry -.vas then "adjournecT and it will he resumed when tlie ship returns to Wellington.