CORRESPONDENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 96, 8 January 1866, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

I The Editor docs not liol'l himself lesponsiblo for any opinions expro-scd by liiscjirc-pondents.]

THE HOSPITAL.

TO TUB KDITOK OF TUB " WBST COAST TIMKS.*"

Sin, — Some days ago a letter of some literary ability appeared in your columns bearing the sig aturo " 11. W. Bracken," commenting upon hospital management generally, and upon tho conduct of the medical officer in particular. No doubt the Major was highly edified on seeing his name attached to a production oi such merit, and not only was fully convinced himself that he was the veritable author of the letter, but in the simplicity of lite heart believed that your leaders would give him credit for possessing, besides his other accomplishments, not only a perfect mastery of the English language, but a temperance of expression, a correctness of judgment, and an erudition that is astonishing in a man of his calling, but especially co in one of so eminently practical a character as the "gallant Major." We nil knew the Major was well acquainted with the best brands of liquors, and knew how much profit, when properly managed, should bo yielded by a bottle of Ilennessy's brandy or a' dozen of Guinniss' stout ; but few, I think, have given him credit for such wonderful knowledge of the drug trade, and tho profits to be derived" from the sale of Holloway's pills and Epsom salts. A few of the " Major's" select acquaintances, however, are still more surprised at the object, of attack; as until within a few weeks back, Dr. Ryley was in the " Major's" opinion, not only the impersonation of nil that is noble, generous, philanthropic, and disinterested in the profession, but in fact tho only true disciple of /Esculapius in Hokitika. To be sure, a few of these acquaintances are aware that Dr. Ilyley, some short time ago, gave mortal offence to " the proud and sensitive, as well as " gallant Major •," but then nobody, of course, would think of accusing the " Major " who " tfoes in independant, as an inpcudtint man on public principals public-ally jo diflend the public," of allowing his private animosities to influence his public conduct. Tho quotation is verbatim ot literatim from ,a recent "unpublished" letter ( of the Major's.

■ In a loading article on the text of the Major's epistle to the Ilokitikinus, Dr. llyloy was invited to reply, and surprise was indicated in to-day's paper that he did not accept the glove hurled at him by the gallant Major. But surely the writer must be ignorant of tho Major's prowess to imagine that Dr. Rylcy would for one moment be so insane as to enter tho list in any character, litoi ary or otho'rwise, with such a dough ty antagonist. But to leave the Major, and conic to the point at once) let me say iii the first place, that I do not profess to possess the accurate knowledge of the Major upon Hospital affairs nor do I hold a brief from Dr. Ryley, but as a lover of fair play, . and as ono having some little exporiouco of the results of newspaper controversy, I am not at all surprised that Dn Ilyley did not accept the polite invitation given him. Your readers must bo aware that Dr. llyloy is not the man to skrink from a discussion of his official acts if ho thought it likely to serve any good purpose, or lead to an elucidation of the fncls'of tho case ; although I need not tell you he is not responsible either to the major or the

editor of a newspaper for his official conduct. We all remember on v former occasion when a Kitnjlar charge wa« made against Dr Ryley in your columns by a mail named Davis, who stated that he had been an hospital patient, and tho doctor replied, not only denying tho charges, but that Davis had never been in the hospital ut all, ho was simply I told by the editor that Davis was as worthy of belief as he was, and three , columns of the paper were devoted to his abuse, and tho public wore neither edified nor enlightened by the controversy. In my opinion, Dr Ryley's monthly report published in your issue of tho 3rd instant was quite a sufficient answer to tho major's letter, as it shows that instead of twenty patients, there arc constantly thirty in the hospital, besides tpn or twelve out- door patients daily. I have simply to state, in conclusion, that Dr Ryley's office is a most unenviable one, and it is more a matter of surprise to mo that instead of ono or two charges of the kind made against' him, they should not be numbered by tho hundred. Of course Dr Ryley is expected to exercise some discretion as to who aro fit objects for hospital relief, as it would be absurd to suppose that tho Government is* prepared to , supply medical " relief to the public at larg^o, and I presume Dr llyloy is not infallible, but, like other mortals, is liabb to commit an error of judgment occasionally. Nor would tho assertion by a patient that ho had only £2 in the face of other circumstances, be sufflf icnt to justify him in every case of extending relief. I have no doubt if tho Major was in Dr Ryley's place for a month no would learn to bo sceptical on such matters, and, I fear, would lose his temper often, and eject his patients as summarily as ho often does his customers "at the Quecustown Hotel, and not always to their corporal well being, as the Doctor knows. I know that instances are numerous to Dr. Ryloy's knowledge, of parties having alleged that they had not a farthing in the world /and who received treatment from tho hospital, but subsequent enquiry elicited tho fact that they had in some instances hundreds of pounds. Then, again, it must bo remembered that Dr Rylcy, although surgeon to tho hospital, is also a private practitioner, and has no right to nssiimb that all who apply to him professionally at his privato rosidenoe aro seeking relief. One word more and I have done, mid I hope you will excuse mo for occupying so much of your space. Most people know that oven resident hospital surge mis, with a full salary and having no practice, devote only two or three days in the week, and only a few hours of those to out-'loor t patients ; but Dr Ryley devotes the whole seven, and evei y hour in the day from tho time he rises in tho morning till ho goes to bed at night to such patients. I am, &c, Jus'rjTU.