DR HOSKING IN DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 88, 19 February 1879, Page 2

DR HOSKING IN DEFENCE.

To the Editor of the WAiiunArA Daily. Sir,,—A number of statements, untrue and utterly at variance with each other having appeared in different papers, censuring my conduct in connection with the fatal accident to the late Donald McLonnan, I deem it my duty to state the facts of the case..

McLonnan was brought to my house in a brake on the evening of the accident. Being dark, I carefully examined the man by candlelight. I found him in a.state of collapse. There, was a severe, gaping, lacerated wound on the right arm, from which considerable venom bleeding had taken plnce. I removed a handkerchief which was loosely bound round the wound, and felt for the brachial artery and re-applied the handkerchief very tightly in order to prevent a possible recurrence of bleeding.. On examining the chest I found the skin over it and the rest of the trunk was crepitant and considerably puffed up, which I made the brother feel, I explained to him that these symptoms were due to air having escaped from the lungs which had been wounded by broken ribs. I also examined a scalp wound on the back of the head wliicli was of a comparatively trivial nature. The men accompanying the brake informed me that they had called at the hospital building on the way down, but had been refused admittance as the building was unfinished and still in the hands of the contractors. Being aware that such was the case, and that the man, if he did rally from the collapse, would inevitably have to undergo a severe and prolonged illness, which could not bo properly treated in a draughty, unfinished shell like the Masterton Hospital building, I advised that if accommodation could not be procured in Masterton lie should be taken at onco to the Wairarapa Hospital at Groytown while still insensible. I offered to attend tho man if they found a room in Masterton. I append tho statement of Mrs Merredew and Mrs Purcell, who were standing by the brake, unknown to me, during the whole of tho time, and heard and saw all that passed : "Mrs Merredew and, Mrs Purcell's "statement to Mr Bunny,

" Wo were standing at Dr Hosking's gate when the brake with McLemmi was there. One of the people who came with the brake told the doctor that they would not take the case in at the hospital. The doctor said the hospital was no fit place for a patient like that yet. He went on to say, " Cannot you find any place or room to put him in Masterton ? If you can, I will como with or follow you down." They replied that- they had tried every place in Masterton they knew of except Bacon's, They mentioned the hotels and Kibblewhite's. The 'doctor said that Bacon's was not a fit place for him, and that if such was the case they would have to take him to Greytown. At this time the doctor was examining the man and binding up his arm. He said it was impossible to do anything further in the trap, After this he told them, "If you take him to Greytown, and you require another medical man, I will go.down." He said, "Dr Smith and myself do not

work together, buo I might in such a case as that." .They then,started quickly. The doctor called out, ." For God f s sake, drive the man steady," They replied it was bettor to drive quick than slow, as the brake was on leather springs. The doctor' again said, " If you do get a private room in Masterton send for me, and I will come." They then went away. They drovo the man as if they were on a pleasure trip. We said this at the time. Before tkyleiUk doctor asked iS they had plenty of straw under the man. Tky replied, ". Yes," The injured inan was smgmg out as if he was driving bullock. A man on horseback, with one eye, started off before tho brake to try and get a private place. The doctor told us after the brake left that the man's lunga, ribs, arm, and scalp were severely injured. Wo afterwards met Mr Jago, and told him about it. Wo have seen different statements in tho papers about the doctor in this case, and consider them utterly false and a great shame," . Greytown and other newspaper correspondents wiiting with evident animus, to the Wellington Times and elsewhere, appear greatly exercised respecting Masterton inhumanity, as shown in McLennan's case. Charity should commence at home, and I think I can show that at least Greytown clos3 not possess the 'whole stock of human feeling in the Wairarapa, Our Greytown friends have evidently forgotten the case of poor James Crotty, who, about two years ago, received fatal injuries of ribs and limbs. He was packed up and forwarded to the Waira-' rapa Accident Hospital, at his own earnest request, blood welling, from his mouth at every attempt to speak. Ho was told at the Hospital he smelt- so. strongly that tho patients complained that they could not eat, and instead of cleansing and deodorizing the poor wretch, lie was turned out of the Hospital into a shed at the back, and from thence packed off to the Wellington Hospital, somo sixty miles, over the llimutaka Hill. He readied there alive and died almost immediately afterwards. In answer to those who have so freely commented on the facts of the deceased's not having been admitted into the Masterton Hospital building (in course of erection), I may state that every member of the Hospital Committee to whom I have spoken about this case have expressed unqualified approval of the course adopted by the keeper in so refusing admittance, as they were not yet in lef.il occupation, and regretted that they liad consented in a weak moment to admit the woman now lying in the Female Ward, the only nearly completed part of the building. This woman daily cries to be removed from the building, as the noise of the hammering and men working was distracting and insufferable. Undoubtedly her case is considerably marred and protracted by the incessant noise. In conclusion I may state that Mr Kenneth Campbell, of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, uncle of the deceased, has personally assured me that he has duly considered and entirely approved of my judgment throughout the whole case under tho circumstances.

lam. &c., W. a HOSKING. Mesterton, Feb. 17,1879.