The Daily News WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, 1904. AN UNFEELING MEDICO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 209, 7 September 1904, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, 1904. AN UNFEELING MEDICO.

Members of the medical profession are generally, and deservedly so, looked upon as belonging to the hardest worked class in a community. But there is always just that one exception that -goes to prove the rule, and it is of one such that we would speak now. In a country district not many miles from New Plymouth there arrived some little time since a person styling himself a doctor (wo say "styling himself" advisedly, though for aught we know to the contrary his credentials may be perfectly in order,) and set up in practice. As the district extended for many miles without a resident doctor the settlers welcomed this arrival as only tho long-suffering people of tha outer districts can. When, later on, a branch of a Friendly Society was established the doctor received the support thereof. In view of these facts the settlers had h o l>ed that they could depend upon medical aid'being available whenever the necessity for it should arise; but, j unfortunately, they have discovered [ that this was a dream. The allegation is made that only a few days ago, when ,a man received severe injuries (including broken ribs), through a trap accident, this doctor was sent for and flatly refused to go. Tliis rendered another message in an opposite direction necessary, and more delay and added suffering to the patient while a second doctor was obtained. That is one instance, Another occasion in which this masterpiece of dilatoriness distinguianed self recently was one that is not of uncommon occurrence in family life. The doctor was sent for to attend a lady at a critical time, and on being made aware of the case calmly continued to smoke the pipe of ease and said he would not go then "as ho was tired," and having previously attended the patient knew she was "all right." Tho anxious relatives, fearing serious developments, then telephoned to town, and one of tho local doctors at orice went out and attendod the case, which he stated to ho a serious one indeed. Residents of the district in question are now much perturbed over tho attitude of indifference taken up by their medical man, and, it would appear, are justly incensed thereat. It would seem to be a case deserving of further attention on the part of the authorities.