Thames Goldflelds Hospital.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4282, 21 September 1882, Page 2

Thames Goldflelds Hospital.

*. A special meeting of the Hospital Committee was held yesterday afternoon, to investigate the grave charges preferred against Wardsman Cain by the House Surgeon. Present—Father O'Eeilley (President), Keys. JNeill, Davies, and Calder, Messrs Hume, Eadford, Mulligan, Ahier, Noonan, Deeble, and McGowan. Apologies received from Messrs Murray and Marshall.

Some conversation took place as to the eouf.se to be pursued in conducting the inquiry, and whether Cain should be permitted to be present while examining , the patients in the Institution.—Cain was called in, and expressed himself satisfied with the examination of the witnesses during his absence. Wm. Challoner said that on the evening in question Cain was very rarely jn th« ward. He had occasion to get out of bed eight times during the night, and it was not until the fifth that any assistance was rendered. On this occasion he had already got out of bed, and. was staggering near the fireplace when Cain caught him in his arms. He then assisted witness into the closet, and remained there until he returned, when he helped him into bed. He could,not assert that Cain had been asleep. Did not knock for assistance, not being aware that he could obtain it by «o doing, , but a patient named Veil tapped on the | wall and knocked on the door. Cain said i he did not know he was so seriously ill, 1 and witness did not believe he had been aware of the danger.. Since the complaint ■had been made he had been unremitting in his attentions and extremely kind. He considered it is duty to say this in exoneration of Cain, having formerly made the complaint. It was at his own request, and not at the suggestion of the doctor, that the attendance of his brother bad been procured. His reason for desiring it had been that he thought he would not live through the night, and wished to have his brother—-his only relation—at hand. Joseph Veil stated that he had knocked first on the wall and then on the panel of the door before Cain came to the patient's assistance. At another time Cain was sitting in the-chair, but witness could not say whether or not he was sleeping. Cain had never denied or neglected any attention he required. ..,.., Two patients and the brother of Challoner also made statements. '

Wardsman Cain said his- principal occupation had been cleaning bottles in the surgery for Mr Aitken. Had not been aware that Chalioner was so seriously ill His instructions had been to call the doctor at 10 o'clock if the medicine administered to Chalioner had not the desired effect. About 10 o'clock Mr Aitken went round the wards and said Chalioner had had two motions during the evening, and was all right. If amaniicked at all loudly in the ward he could have heard the noise in the surgery. He found the hours rather.long, and thought it would be conducive to the benefit of the patients if the wardsmen changed about, night and day duty, or the hours cf service were shortened. Had not received any special instructions with respect to this man. Beside his engagements,in the surgery he had to attend to poulticing in tbe accident ward and the preparation of fomentations in the kitchen, so that the man might have knocked without his hearing. Had given all the care it was possible to give, together with his other duties, in the various wards. Was in and out of the ward at least every half-hour during the night.

Mr Aitken, dispenser, said that at 10 o'clock on the night of the 6th Chalioner was very bad, and required special attention. Had told Cain so the last thing before leaving the Hospital. Eev. Mr Calder thought the whole affair bad arisen from misconception. The doctor had no animus against Cain, bat understood thatitwashis duty to Jay before the House Committee any complaint made t6 him. This appeared'at first sight to be a very serious one, and a special meeting of the House CommittVe had been cilled to investigate it.. Cain had received no notice, and consequently c<ime unprepared to._meet the charge.;-bufc- bad hebeen ap* prised of the meeting a great deal 5 of the subsequent trouble might hare been avoided. The doctor had informed, him that he did not wish Cain to be discharged, but he wished more attention to be paid to his instructions. On the other hand Cain complained that his instructions were not explicit enough. If the House Committee would not consider it impertinent in the face of tKeir recommendation, he would move that Cain be not discharged, He thought the doctor would, see that it would be better to be more plain in his instructions to Cain, for he had not the' advantage of being present when l)r Payne went around the wards as had his fellow-wardsman, and his only directions were to be found on tbe labels at the head of the beds. If in order, he would move the resolution he bad mentioned. The Eev. Mr Davies said if Cain bad uot the capacity to see whether the man required particular attention, he was utterly unfit to be a wardsman. Hr Hume would have liked to see the hours of the wardsmen's labour reduced. Mr Ahier iaid he would second Sir Calder's resolution.'

Mr Ehrenfried thought if there was one position where particular attention to duty was required it was in a Hospital where the lives of the patients were often in the bands of the wardsmen, and he believed that on this particular night Cain had neglected his duty. His experience should have told him that the man was seriously ill—besides which he had been told so by Mr Aitken—and yet he was fouud cleaning bottles and leaving the man unattended. He did not say he should be discharged, but such a warning should be given him as would prevent the inmates of the Hospital being neglected in future. Mr McGowan said it was a bad principle to put tho subordinates on the sime fooling as the surgeon. Somebody must be responsible for the well-being of the institution, and if the doctor was responsible let him be supreme in authority. He would suggest that the matter be referred back to the surgeon with power to dismiss or retain Cain as he chose. By doing so they would not only preserve the status of their officials, but also show Cain that he must; pay strict attention to the doctor's orders. Mr Calder said the idea was in every way superior to his, and he would be pleased to adopt it. It was beyond doubt the best thing to do. The resolution was altered in the direc- I tion indicated, and carried neni. dis. The meeting being then terminated. i