PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 3 September 1907, Page 4

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE.

SAD CASE IN MELBOURNE. The coroner at Melbourne recently helj an enquiry concerning the death of Elizabeth Helen C'omerford, a married woman, which occurred from exhaustion after giving birth to a child. Charles Edwin Comerford stated tint deceased was his wife. When she became ill she was attended by a nurse, and he had also engaged a doctor. He' sent for Dr Mclnnerney at 8 p.m., but he - was engaged on a bad case, which lasted until midnight. He then sent to Dr Graham, who on learning that Dr Mclnnerney had been engaged, declined to come, saying, "Dr Mclnnerney is sure to be in by this time." Then witness went to Dr Ostermeyer, but was informed that the doctor was in bed and had a bad cold. Witness drove to several surgeries, but the doctors were not at home. At about midnight he went to Dr Hodgson's residence. The doctor, on hearing that Dr Mclnnerney had been engaged, stated that he would be unable to attend the case. Soon afterwards witness proceeded to Dr Melnnerney'a, who informed him that his wife was dead.

The coroner (to Dr Shields): What is the etiquette of the medical profession in circumstances such as have been detailed here!

Dr Shields: Etiquette would be for the first man called, if he were at home and well enough", lo attend the case on •eeonnt of life being in danger. The fact sets aside all points of etiquette.