137

fl.-i

in the colony is an element of weakness, and has been abandoned in good work at Home. There solid down-pipes are used almost universally. Here is a sample of sheet lead with soldered seams. 3132. Of course, that is liable to be warped by extension and contraction ? —Yes ; it would, in my opinion, be much more satisfactory to have cast-iron soil-pipes carried down the outside of the building. 3133. Mr. Solomon.] In the month of July Dr. Batchelor performed an ovariotomy operation at Seacliff Lunatic Asylum? —Yes, he operated on an Asylum patient. 3134. Were you present at the operation ?—Yes; but it was performed in a cottage at some distance from the Asylum. 3135. Did you find him careful in the use of antiseptics ? —Yes. 3136. He practised the utmost carefulness?— Yes. 3137. Was there any septic trouble in that case ?—No; the wound healed by the first intention, excepting a small portion of the lower end of the incision. 3138. It was a severe operation, was it not ? —Yes. 3139. What was it ? —Double ovariotomy and removal of tubes and clitoris. With regard to the portion of wound that did not heal immediately, I may say that the patient was extremely restless, and, being insane, would not keep still; further, I think I removed the lower stitches rather too soon; however, the whole wound healed well; there was not a trace of suppuration, and at the end of three weeks the patient was up. 3140. Do you think that if a patient who was about to be operated on in the Dunedin Hospital were put in a ward that was in the condition of the one you examined this morning for a week prior to operation, and put back there immediately after the operation, that, she would have a proper chance of recovery ?—I do not think it would be satisfactory. 3141. Would you be at all surprised to learn that operations of a much simpler nature than the one you saw at Seacliff, which Dr. Batchelor had performed during the same week in that same ward that you saw in the Hospital —viz., No. 7 —were attended with septic poisoning? —I should not be altogether surprised, because the conditions of the ward would increase the risk of septic poisoning. 3142. To put the matter in a formal way, do you agree or do you not that there are defects in the sanitary condition of the Dunedin Hospital ?—There are defects. 3143. Do you also agree that these defects are " of so serious a character as to be a source of grave danger to the patients, and call for immediate remedy " ?—Yes. 3144. Mr. Chapman.] In connection with the latter question, as to the defects which you have pointed out in the ventilation and drainage systems, what remedies do you propose for them ? —I have already indicated in a general way a means by which the wards could be ventilated through a central extraction shaft; suitable inlets could easily be provided. As to drainage, the defects could be remedied upon the lines pursued at Wellington Hospital and Seacliff Asylum [vide description and diagrams supplied] . 3145. You say that there is very little alteration needed in regard to the drainage?— Yes; I cannot speak about the conditions of the drains beyond the gully-traps, but I fancy they are not ■ ventilated there. Mr. White : The doctor is mistaken in that. 3146. The Chairman.] You did not examine the outside drains?—l did not examine them beyond the gully-traps. 3147. Mr. Chapman (after calling witness's attention to plan).] Does that appear to you to cut off the drain from sewer ?—lt cuts off the soil-pipe from the sewer, but that form of trap is exceedingly unsatisfactory ; it gathers filth, and has been severely condemned. 3148. The Chairman.] It is a cesspool in fact ?—Yes, it has been generally condemned. 3149. Would it be a particularly expensive matter to run up another shaft ?—No; the shaft is in the wrong place. 3150. Is it satisfactory at present ? —lt is not. 3151. Mr. Chapman.] You were asked some questions about cases, whether you would be surprised if a number of cases went wrong under certain conditions. Suppose a case of this sort occurred: A woman on a night before operation had a temperature of 101°, and it was stated to you that there was a yellow discharge from her vagina, and that she was subject to rigours and shivering, would you not eliminate these facts before operating? —Yes. Mr. Solomon : That is an unfair way of putting it. That is the first time that such a thing has been suggested. Mr. Chapman: The question is put as a general one. I have not told the witness what the operation was. Witness : Slight I know the particular operation that was performed ? Mr. Chapman : It was an Emmet's operation. Mr. Solomon ; Neither do we admit the temperature. Mr. Chapman : I am putting a suppositious case for the purposes of my question. Mr. Solomon : Then, you will need to leave out the rigours, as we know nothing about them. Mr. Chapman : If Dr. Batchelor says that is a mistake there is an end of it. Dr. Batchelor : That is the first time I have heard of it. 3152. Mr. Chapman.] Suppose a temperature of 101° before operation, the fact that the woman was suffering from something which caused a yellow discharge from the vagina, that the conditions were what I have mentioned to you, would you consider these things in considering whether she had suffered from anything septic in the Hospital ? Would you eliminate these things before condemning the Hospital ?—I do not quite grasp your question. 3153. You have been asked a question, certain conditions being put to you as to whether under these circumstances you would be surprised at an operation going wrong in the Hospital ? 18-H. 1.