ST. HELENS HOME INQUIRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 12

ST. HELENS HOME INQUIRY

FURTHER EVIDENCE TAKEN. EXAMINATION OF DR INGDIS CONTINUED. Press Association. AUCKLAND .January 2-1. The inquiry into the administration ot St. Helens Maternity Home was continued at the Arbitration Court, the Commissioner, Mr v-.. C. Kettle, b.M., presiding. Tno cross-examination of Dr Tracy Inglis, medical officer of\ St. Helens, regarding tho treatment ot Mrs Chamberlain in tho homo before her death,-was continued by Mr Skelton. Dr Inglis said that ho made tho hret careful examination of Mrs Chamberlain on August loth. Mr Skelton : How often did you makea very careful examination of the patient? Witness: I made the necessary careful examination every time I saw her. Mr Skelton ; When did you first mention to the matron that you suspected septicaemia? Witness: I do not know. I discussed the case so often that I cannot possibly fix a date. Mr Skelton was proceeding to put a further question when witness said he did not know what counsel was talking about. Tho Commissioner; But I do. Doctor. If thoro had been a daybook kept m the homo with proper records Mr fekeuon would have had the information he requires. Ho is simply trying to ge>J at what treatment you ordered Mrs Chamberlain when you suspected septicaemia. Thoro is no need to be irritable about it. You have simply to answer his questions. Witness : I cannot say definitely when I started special treatment for septicaemia, X treated Mrs Chamberlain for bronchial pnuemonia up to the end of August, and I considered her high temperature duo to this and not to septic changes. Mr Skelton: Aro you not pledged by tho rules of tho British Medical Association not to consult with other medical men who aro not memobrs?—No; certainly not. Mr Skelton: Supposing that urgent necessity arose requiring consultation, say with Dr Brockway, would you_ not have to get Hie consent of tho committee of the association first? Witness : No, To the Commissioner: A few years ago there was a dispute between certain friendly societies in Auckland and the association, the result being that the societies imported a number of medical officers. Wo, as an association, refused by resolution to consult with them or meet the™ professionally, except in emergencies. Witness's opinion was that tills rule did not affect public practitioners. Mr Skelton : Dr Brockway is under the bann of the association? Witness: Yes, because he was imported from America by the societies. Tho Commissioner: Was a written record of Dr Cross’s bacteriological test© obtained for tho home? Witness: No, her report was given over tho 'phone. The Commissioner: Why wasn't it written down. Surely it would have been bettor? Witness: Yes, for tho inquiry. The Commissioner: It's not a matter of inquiries. It’s a matter of medical officers keeping proper records in publio institutions. Mr Skelton: Is it not a fact that because Mr Chamberlain was so persistent in his wife's welfare you were forced to take some action and nave the blood test taken? Witness; Certainly not. To the Commissioner: Dr Frost's test was not of great value. Tho Commissioner: Then why did you have it taken? Witness: Because I had suspected septicaemia and wanted her to confirm it. Mr Skelton produced the doctor's notification to tho Health Department of Mrs Chamberlain's condition, which was dated August 28th, and that of another patient dated September 9th, both of which had reached the department on the same day. The witness said that he had no knowledge of the former document being do-, layed in its transmission, but he was absolutely * positive that he had not written both notifications on the same day. He had also given a resume of the case over the telephone to Dr McGill. The Commissioner: Were you ever called upon by any officer of the department or Minister or any other person to report on the case of Mrs Chamberlain either during her illness or after her death f Witness: X was asked to see Dr McGill at the Health Office. Tho Commissioner: Can you produce any written communication of any kind between yourself and tho department relating to Mrs Chamberlain's illness and death ? Witness: I don't think so. Tho Commissioner: In such case one would think the first thing asked for would be a report from a medical officer or matron. Mr Mays: Wo shall show everything that happened, and everything that passed. It is a little premature just at present. , , T Mr Skelton here produced Dr Valmtino's report on the case. Dr Inglis, perusing the report, said that though agreeing ifi his opinion differed slightly in places from that of Dr Valintino. # In answer to Mrs Nicol he said that he considered one nurse was quite sufficient to attend to Mrs Chamberlain, even in the closing stages. With regard to the room she had occupied, he had given orders to have it thoroughly fumigated and disinfected, and this had been done. Owing to tho need for this being done quickly there had not been time to get the Health Inspector to superintend the work. Mrs Niool here remarked on the laxness of the Health Department in attending to such cases, and concluded, "They are an absolute disgrace; you couldn't shift them with a charge of dynamite." The inquiry was then adjourned.