A Vexations Action.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 173, 9 October 1886, Page 4

A Vexations Action.

Mb Justice Manisty was engaged at Bristol, yesterday, in trying a curious action brought by a patient against his doctor. The patient wae said to be in the habit of breakfasting at 11 a.m., again at 4.30 p.m., of dining at midnight, aud of supping at an early hour in the morning, no it was no wonder that he wanted a doctor. The doctor whom be called in prescribed bromide of potassium, which, the plaintiff alleged, had " a lowering effect " upon him, and for that he sought to recover damages. The doctor, however, was able to put into the box two other doctors, who Bwore that the medicine in question was what waa required ; and the jury stopped the case as frivolous and vexatious. We heartily sym pathise with the doctor, and trust that he will get full costs. It is bad enough for medical men that they often have to undertake the difficult task of battling against disease, with the patient fightitig on the other side by neglecting or refusing to observe their directions as to diet and dailv habits ; but if every <l nervous excited " patient who turned night into day were able to hold his medical adviser responsible for the failure to cure him, the doctors would be very little better off than they are among some Indian tribee,where the medicine man has to forfeit hie life after thrice failing to save patients.