AN INDIGNANT AURIST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2409, 6 December 1880, Page 4

AN INDIGNANT AURIST.

Professor Stanich, who, a year or two ago, made a tour of Now Zealand, and, under the title of the Palestinian Aurist, tickled the ears and purses of a good many colonists, has recently had a brush with the Committee of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. It appears that five inmates of the institution were recommended to the Professor for gratuitous treatment, and out of the five, three old men aged 72, 73 and 76 were successfully treated. Learning that there were about 40 inmates in the asylum, as deaf as door nails the Professor wrote to the Superintendent asking when it would be convenient for him to visit the institution and examine them so that such as he considered curable might afterwards be forwarded to him for treatment. The Superintendent wrote: — Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, 5 Nov., 1880. Sir. —Yours of the 28th October last, asking permission to visit the inmates suffering from deafness, was laid yesterday before the committee, and in reply I am directed to inform you that as there are four honorary medical officers attached to the institution, they most respectfully beg to decline to accept your offer. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, F. Howlett, Supt. and Sec. To Prospero Stanich, Esq. The Palestinian aurist is very indignant, and in a letter which he addresses to the Melbourne “ Observer,” he says : —I should like very much to know if the four honorary medical officers of that institution (of whose quaiilications as such I have not the slightest doubt) suppose for one minute that they can cure deafness as I can ? My quaiilications are the result of the experience of generations, my forefathers having made it their study as I have done for a lifetime ; and my success is so attested in all parts of the world as well as in this colony, that it is beyond question.”