HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1237, 23 November 1882, Page 2

HOSPITAL ENQUIRY.

AN inquiry was held yesterday by the Masterton Hospital Committee into the alleged neglect of Dr Hosking, in the case of the late Mr J. Duncan. Present-Messrs Boddington (Chairman), Beotham, Bish, Feist, lorns, J. V. Smith, Payton, and Vile, Dr Hosking being in attendance. The friends of the deceased were admitted during tho inquiry, the written against Dr Hosking being first "read.,,, J The Chairman pointed out that the Com- f mittee could not; deal with anything that took place before the decease/was admitted as a patient in the hospital, w Mr Payton moved,and <%J; V. Smith Beconded-That all that portl#BftWbarge relating to what took platfe deceased was admitted as' a patient in' tho hospital bestruckout, and that thoOommittee decline to hear anything upon it from either side, Carried. The charge as amended was then.read as follows: '■'; li

"That Dr Hosking preceded the said .J. Duncan' to the hospital, Masiertoh/'and received him. there about 10 p.m., and neglected to use any surgical means to relievo the said James Duncan. ' "That he' left James Dune in without having used any surgical'means for his relief, stating he would return iu half-an-hour; that he did not return until about" half past six a.m. on the third. "I consider that in consequence oi the neglect and want of attention on the part of the said Dr Hosking the said James Duncan died at 5.30 p.m. on the third of November, 1882."—Geo. Duncan. Mr George Duncan (father of the deceased) said he thought that as Dr Hosking saw deceased at the Tauera, and ordered him into the hospital from there, it was a hospital o'use from that time. Dr Hosking: I have no objection to tho case being considered from the Taueru. Mr Bish moved—That tho resolution jnst passed bo rescinded, as • Mr ment that Dr Hosking took charge of the patient at the Taueru put the matter in a different light. ; •;. ■'. \ ? Mr Payton wished to know if Dr jtlosking would admit that tho caso was a hospital case at the Taueru ? ■'■', Dr Hosking: Cerhinly not. .." ■ ; ' Mr Payton: Then it is useless'considering the case as from the Taueru; • ■'•'■■ !•- ;■- Mr Vile would second the resolution of Mr Bish, to test th« feeling of the meeting. Tne motion was then put and lost, and the inquiry commenced from the time of the admission of the deceased to the hospital. The Chairman suggested that instead of considering each clause they should take tho whole charge. This was agreed to,, and the complaint again read. Mr Duncan said he was not present at the accident nor at the hospital, and only' obtained his knowledge of the case from what ho heard from others. His son, however, was with deceased and could speak in support of the charge against Dr Hosking;:: > Mr W. Duncan said on the 2nd November between 10 and 11 p.m. I went to the hospital. As Twent in Dr Hosking was proparing to go to Masterton, Tho doctor said ho would be back in half an hour. While he wwgone Mr Bulpit and I got everything ready for an operation. Wo waited, for' the doctor for a good hour. Wo wont out and stood on tho veraudah to hear if ho was coining. We went in about 12 o'clock.' My brother was then very restless, He kept calling out loudly for the doctor. He said, "Can'tyou go for the doctor?" I said it would be no good j<oing for the doctor as he might be up anyiniuute, Ho said, "If you don't go I'll crawl to him mysolf." I soothed him and tried to persuade him'to be. still, tolling him it was all against himself to worry. About half past one a noto came from Dr Hosking, telliug us to put hot water bottles to tho patient's feot and see to the bandage,.and other instructions which. Mr Bulpit carried out, Nothing more waf-v done. Mr brother continued to cry out at intervals for the doctor. He said, "Can't you send for Dr Board!". I said I did not.' know whether that, would bo right, 1 . About a quarter to four ho turned over on to the stump and Mr Bulpit and I put him right again, Ho turned in the same way in about another quarter of an hour. About four o'clock I went down to Dr Hosking's. He had just come in, He asked how my brother was and I told him he was vory restless and continually calling for tho doctor. I said to the doctor, "Do go up, even if you can't do any good." Dr Hosking Raid he" would telegraph to Dr Boy, and I offered to ride down aud bring him up beforo the telegram could reach him He said it would not be worth while going unless I went in a buggy, as Dr Bey might havo been up all night and would not care to ride,. I then wont homo and aftor having a cup of cocoa tnd resting awhile, I weut back to the hospital *ud found ray brother was dead. Mr Boelham: Did you hear Dr Hosking say he would return in half an hour ? Mr Duncan: Yes, Mr Bish: Did Dr Hosking givo an order" to have everything got ready lor an operation ?

Mr Duncau: I cauuot say that he did, Mr J. Bulpit, custodian of the Masterton Hospital stated; I received the deceased James Dunoan at the Hospital on the evcuing of tho 2nd at about 10 p.m. Dr Hosking arrived thero a littlo before him. The doctor undressed and washed him, and made him comfortable, and then went down to Masterton to get Mr Mason to assist at au immediate operation, but later on I received a memo to tho effect that ho had resolwd not to perform the operation that night, and giving mo further instructions as to restoring tho system from tho Bhookit had received" (Lettor. read as follows: " I think it would be inadvisable to operate' to-night, or until' th 6 symptoms of shock have passed off. Try all you can to get him warm by puttingwarm bottles and blankets, and lot his brohim some hot milk. 4c. through the night. I have sent my rubber bottlo. If in pain give five drops dose frequently through the night of laudanum-not moresay ovcry two or three hours, as a stimulant. You can put on the lint and wadding and bandage pretty firmly round end of stump to secure it from bleeding, leaving it uncovered by the bed clothes so that,the brother cm sec if there is any profuao bleeding, but this is not likely to happen until reaction sets iu, if at all. I will telegraph for Dr Boy in the moming.-W. H. Hoskiso.") I reoeived the letter about la m.

Mr Payton: Did you notice anything iu tho patient's symptoms to lead you to tupposo ha would expire so soon? Mr Bulpit: No. Ho went off quite «uddenly.. . . _ Mr Bisk: Did tlie doctorgtvo you iustnietiona to havo everything ready, and etato that he would be back in half an hour? Mr.Buipitt: 1 waa uqdor tho impression that he would he hack soon, and got ovorytiling ready on my own judgment. .. M ,. DrHosking was then asked to givo his" explanation. He snid: I took the caao into the hospital booause I thought tliat course would give the young 'fellow the best chanco for life. He would be carefully.* and .skilfully nursed, wouldflH enabled to havo a wMaHfl medical men, if found Taueru I saw that the bandages and had been skilfully applied. I saw that' " the case was. a very grave bne,-.and that; ■ only the youth and strength'of the mauwere in hisfavor, I stripped him whon '.. I reached the hospital, and made him comfertable, and took measures'to create- a re>aotion from the shock. I hesitated.whether to _ amputate at phoe or not, and before' - quite making up'my mind resolved to consider my, latest text books in siinlar cases,, which is always ray practice. "If I"foiifid : it necessary, I intended ;to get;Dr Board, and Mr Maion to go with me. I hunted up Mason to be in readiuoss, and tliea spent an hour looking up various authorities,: which, all confirmed tho opinion .1 had,formedthat the operation had better be deferred till the shook had subsided, When I get, home','l found I'had been sect for twicefor a eohGnement case, in which:l had to use instruments. I.havo boen"22. J ears vin : practice, nnd spent many, yeara.. of that time' among 'mines whVe.accidetita j wero very frequent, and, it was always a rnla ■' to wait till the reaction setin' before operating. I think my judgment should bars. therefore been given moreicredit to-in'tbifl.-case.than it. has. I stut a memo'to Mr-. Bulpit, who is » very mUlligent man, and.

no doaW qr|i{|f(jy >fy iiiiwfeh'. As soon as-1 l.i: t.e io..li.ij:i)t w..', whiui i liumcd on M much as - jjosfiiblfc, I was aliift t<i.stnrt for the hospital, when., Mr M Duncancame flown hi nio and brhl his brother'\vafi resileYs' mid -Calling f6rthv doctor., -If I .l)ad' operated inppn hjmthe only effect woi'&haM WnJmUic would have died J The Clwirniiui: Would tho confinement

case have prevent-.d you Operating if .joa ha-.l .found \t ; nec^aaty.? : . „ ~ <n;) Vfi ►f l)r,Hrial'.itig[ V Wait, II oigh, of couisc, it would bo keeping that/patient circumstances I limit'''thVconWihenl;' case was tho'most' mkirtant' ofi tho : tivo'>/Wltii regard to the deceased being restless and cryingontfflHho .doctor tliey.ill.,do that in 'accidents of the luiulTJ, roulcl do v nothing till'tho system. recOveiffl the first'shock.' Tho ieaction never took pl-ico'. and tho patient-sunk under tho shock'nm! consequent collapse. I bui ratlier siisptifl'kl if-they llio«»!it I.wm. not prc?ent aft som as-.thoy.;wished, that they did not si-nd for Doctor Heard,-or'send down to ivo before, To' sliow' that Trim - not 'ijiviii'i my uasiijipoitsd opinion "m the case I would like to''iiioUi-aWcw lines ftoni a late work of ylrkkfl oi's, an ciniiihiit surgical authority., (Dr Hoskiivj hero' read several extracts, all to the cll'eci t'iat"iioiliihg'c'ou!d'' bo done in ciscs of severashool; till re-action Get in. and that ehrorful.iconvasation-and comfort were the principal thing 3 tQ resort to.) Had the leg sl.iH ibe gi attached with the nerves. ,"in}o ft-li.e gnashed portion Iheii' 1. wild hiu'c pVeh u'i ililitt' hi* making thcWpOtatiSh'at imcc, biif.lhe ]e-g had already been-'cni-ibed 1 off;-' and -everething that could he 'lmic.under.tlie.circum, stances:! did before i bft.tjhe Hospital. ; j ■.Mr'Bis'i: W.a? the .deceased, bkeding when he reached Beni'.etl'r, ?; ( ■ >< Dr Hiking: No. Thereinighf have been a little oo?c, hut the bandages were as firmly bound'as 1 coiild-Jmvo. ehine them myself. There is never much bleeding where there is such a severe shock as this waar'af? dhopc'fioh # -thc-;heUjt #'Jtlfrays check'cd, 'I 'did'not".pull'ilio pok "fellow ' about as somo might have done, i!iid,pok my fingers here and there', as that v.ould only increase the shock and' do'no'good.' Mr Duncan, sour., a<ke:l j)r Hosking-'if the pillow, &c„ the deceased was resting upon wcre'not saturated -with Wood?-•'••' : Dr .Hoskingj.That'■-■Would be accounted for by the oosiDg froi'ii tho spongy slump of tho leg ■ '■'.'.'''■' ••.-'• : "■ Mr J. V. Smith; Was it not possible that something might have given way in the bandaging and so allowed the-blood tb flow." ' ;'• Dr Hosking f'J.'ho bandage was perfectlytight when 1 examined it at the Hospital, '■• Mr Yile: You would have gone up to the hespilal-ifyouhad not been attending the confinement case '! ."''.' '-'''' Dr'Hoskiiig: Of course; not for tluVgood I could have done, but because I: take ■great interest in such cases. When I w'.is going up. on tho morning after the accident i thought'l would'take Drferd up with me, and seeing him on the road, asked him to come in and see the case, tic said lie was in a lini ry to get to Tin'ui,' but iis it would hot take long lie consented, and wo went; up together, hut found that the man had expired. / 'lVtheChairman:l did not .'aiiticipato (loath so suddenly, though we can never tell. Some people die from, the shock of the most triyial accidents. Tho knife just marking thO'plocetocut Ko'metinics causes death, In this case I relied upon tho Strong ■phyaieal strength and temperate lifcof the young, man to pull him through. Though even after recovering the first shock, ho would havo bad to go through the; second shock of -the amputation, 'lt was in any -. aspect a ' doubtful case. With regard .to Mr fiulpit gotting ready I.would point out that I am notbound to tell my wardswan my mind .on ; any case, nor am I compelled to return- tn .'" 'any case in a time I might state if I did not *** think, on further consideration it was necessary I should do so. I muat.claim the 1 , right to use my own judgment in-these .ro-. Bpects. _" ' -•• : ■ Mr W. Duncan would like to 'say a ■ few . ..words with rogard lo Dr Hoskmu's remarks concerning his not going for Dr Beard. He would not like it to h thought that he had acted without feeling towards his brother. He liked Dr Beard, who was.his Lodge doctor, but he; believed there was not a friendly feeling between Dr Hoard- and Dr- Hcskihg and ho did not know how to:act. He offered however to ride lo fircytown for Dr Bey. Mr Beetliara (to Dr Hoskiug)-. Had you thoroughly. made up your : mind'not to operate till the reaction set in ? ' Dr Hosking: 'Yes; I made, up my mind before! left the Hospital, Jf I had operated I might havebcen indicted for raal'prnctica.' Mr Duncan, senior: /Would'Jifc.not have been better to have operated at once while the.lad,was strong? - ■',* •>' \i\;-. '••■,-.- Dr' Hosking:. He .wqulfl died the • sooner. ■ • '" '••' ; '' ' '"' '■ Mr Duncan: Didyou send for another doctor when the lad rea'ched the hospital? Dr Hosking :• I did riot consider- ; that bcct-Bsary;- I would like to explain, hov)ever, (hat Dr Beard and nlyEelf are on friendly terms, an'd that Mr W, Duncan was . mistaken in.snpposing othmviso. . : -, Mr Duricah;''senio; i , 'saiid lie h'ad-ilso'becn in mining districts;'srid.'liafl'.eeon nfany accidents, and the limbs were amputated at once. Dr Hosking ':• T' am : t-ho best •'••judge 'of -what was rcipii'red.in this',i-ase. '',; ' This; completed the. evidence and thewit/i nesses retired to-enable-tho committee to •disouFS tho f c'ase.,'.-'' i ,[',' _' ,- ; j Mr Feist' said the 'main'point,' as to why Dr- Hosking did not' return in hitl'f-an-hbu r as he had sai 1 ho would; was,;to' his mind, satisfactorily explained, • Mv'J.' Vv''Smtth said'-ho had come there lather prejudiced against tho doctor, but that gentleman'had justified'himself ?c6nipletelj, and had .quoted medical opinion in support of his own, which none of them could gainsay. He-would move—" That Dr, Ho'sking's explanation bo. accepted, as,quite, satisfactory." .'.,;:•. Mr l'ay.ton.Baid ho-irgnld .like to make, an Additioh'toihe motion tothe'c'flee't that the ' Committee regretted- that tho deceased Was ■left for eight hours without medical attendance. He quito agreed with Mr Smith, ihat DrHoskmg's explanation wassatisfa'ctory, but he did not think it should'go forth' thataniaii dangerously wounded lmdlaiii . at tho Hospital for eight hours' withoiilmedical attendance, and that'tho.committce took-nq,notice of-the.circumstance., If DrHosk'ing could not liavb gone, Dr. Besrd should have been sent, : , ,''"',, Mr Smith could'iiot accept su'cli aii addition to his resolution as it might convey an idea of censure on tho doctor.- He thought it might be made a separate resolution, Mrjßcethanvseconded ..ther'esoluti6h with ■ pleasure.:' He 'thought d)r; Hoskuig's/c-xplil-'-nation quite satisfactory, and they could not saddle him with any,- neglect whatever, The amputation would not have been a very long operation, and could easily Jiave been done if nccewy/brit' tho doctor fdrine'd

his opinion anil ioimd i tsuppottcd by high* surgical authority, and had decided, to wait. His'absenco jfioih the hospital 'to 'also ■HfcLaatiafEctdrilvaccoUntcd for, ■■■■ ; ■•'•'■ ■' ' •''.' Vile Enid the explanation concerning HBHRtiputatjon .was perfectly satisfactory, iybuHio thought it was not so satisfactory tlint another doctor. beoii cal!et\ in. It wis-not a poor Jad they' wero'to'atttM, and if he had not been taken to.lho hospital he wpuldjiio doubt, have, had two doctors. Dr 'Hoskiiig showed that a "medical'man's' . 'jiresttcc.was desirable by saying lhat had it notion, for .other cases ho would have been! up at the ho3]-ital, .... The Chairman pointedout that Dr Hoskiiig had intended to iclegraplffor Dr Bey. Mr Bish said• he could not-'agree >witli'" • the resolution altogether, -The doctor said '. iiv his evidence.tli;i? piie* rca?6'h ; h)had deceased tatei td'the hojspjtarwas |p that lie cou|d'consult with ,',' He. . it wis a.pity jje had not'.'dopa.js.a.' It was to bo'deplored tea liieflical man' was notpi esent to thought thefoTt 01 'Wi''&&fsy\i™l<i~vm\\ 6e* '. back soon showed tluit he-thought fcoii6tortb : attention necessity; ■ ViiniVV Mr.'Torris' ihougnHhis' - qncstiojf 'they! could' n6t ' • 'l(ri|Pay'toi{.moyfi3as aA.apifudmrDtiJHt tho 'eight hn.uj'4':idisc!ici^vfl3/^ t tbatreqnired;t'lie.consitetion ci.ibg.c?pjr. iitseli to this.. .'..

I ', Mr Smith thuught tho'matter..had- already il:H:'n.explained, .■'.,. !' 'MrPayton:Tbrido'notthink(,tKefif t|a|!tho ■factof an irijiifed mau lying for oightriours medical attendance'-' iriiipri'jifdiee jthehospital? ; ■: „,?' ■;,. ! rMr Smith: I do not -Bay-that, and think snoh!athing : Bhould -ho guarded iagiibstiin !futnre.;. ; -,;.-..',,;.. ;;- ,- ;■■ ~, : -'i."i.; i; Mr, Hogg,- at,whoso-house Dr;Hosking .was cr.gascd on the nigliti.'oMho .accident, istated that Dr Hosking,,.told. him-on the '■night jn qac?lionthntlio had a vury.Bcrioiiß caso at tho hospital, and if- he:found it was •.necessary lo amputate, ho would not. be, able to return to.his (Mr Hogg's) houso that night,,, tic did return, ... : Mr Ucetbain said, thaii bo did not think any blame cotild be attached to Dr Hrfsking 'for not,sending up another medical man, as he. could not feel .called upon to do so.' He regretted tho Duncans had not called in their,family, doctor as well as Dr Hosking and.also that tho young man had been removed from. Branccpeth, where ho would .'have received oveiy attention, and saved tho trpiiblo;and pain of the journey, - -. ' -The Chairman said he had gathered from jDr.llosking's answer that the other case ho ;bad on band- did not affect his views con:'coriiii:g the accident, and that he would 'havo only gone up to tho Hospital because lio naturally took ■an interest in the case, :and .not for the good ha could do. 1 Mr-.Smith'pointed out that Dr.llosking 'did take Dr Heard.to sec the deceased, and was surprised to find that he was dead, It jwas a very sorious thing to censure thci ;<lpolOr, ( .though he hadcomo prepared to move a vote in that, direction if necessary, hui'.bo thought.Dr .-Hoskiiig had not dc-1 served ociifi'i'O, • ■;,- ■•• ■'. .

Mr Fay ton pointed < ut that it was also a serious thing to prejudice the Ho-pital. .' ; j MiFcist.said ho. Quito agreed with tho resolution, but would like to see.something added.for..the satisfaction of deconseel's f: ion Is. Mr Smith would like tho. Chairman lo ixpress the.sympathy of the Committee with the.Duncans when unking known its' moisio'i. ~ Sir I'ayton said that be and others who did nut epiiic agree.with the resolution, would not vote against it,, but it would bo undci stood that they dissented from it only on tho ground of tho eight hours absenco of medical attendance, • : A'tcr somo slight fnithcr discussion tho motion wa.. put and carried, none voting against. Mr Smith said they mijdifc. in order to prevent futuic complaint, instinct the custodian to mid for other medical aid in the event of Dr Husking bring unable to attend. It was pointed out that Dr I'caid was a consulting Burgeon of the hoipital, and could bo called upon, It was decided to leave this matter to the next ordinary meeting, and the proceedings tenn'uated,