AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 10 May 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL

A SATISFACTORY ENQUIRY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Auckland, Thursday. An inquiry was held at the hospital into the allegations made concerning the L death from tetanus in the institution of a young l man, who was treated for appendicitis. Medical .evidence was given contradicting the statement that there was a tetanus patient in the same ward as deceased. There was a tetanus patient in the hospital, but not in the same ward or the same building. The infection, it was stated, came from within, not from without. The assertion was made that five per cent, of all normal adults had tetanus in the bowels. A member of the board asserted that when the matron was called she would give sensational evidence. When she appeared, he asked if she had not declared that the case under notice was "a case of manslaughter if ever there was one." She gave this an absolute denial. Farrelly, representing the society of which deceased was a member, accepted the medical evidence as satisfactory, and apologised for making t'he statement, which he was led to believe by a member of the board was capable of substantiation. The relatives of deceased expressed themselves as completely satisfied, and the committee passed a resolution exonerating the honorary hospital and nursing staff from the charge of negligence or want of attention. THE MATRON'S CASE. Auckland, Last Night. A special enquiry will be held by the Auckland Hospital Board on Monday regarding the administrative and disciplinary methods of the lady superintendent, the complaint regarding her management by certificated nursed of the institution, and the protest of five sisters against their suspension over the "bath incident." All these matters came before the Board at its meeting to-night, but no definite action was taken, beyond referring them to the consideration of the enquiry. Specific criticisms of the matron were made to the Board by the honorary medical staff, and this report had been handed to Miss Griffiths for her reply. The chairman stated that he had received Miss Griffiths' reply. It was agreed that a copy of the letter should be furnished to *each member, and that it should be considered at the enquiry.