DOCTORS AND FEES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7265, 12 August 1907, Page 1

DOCTORS AND FEES.

The London Daily Mail gives particulars of an inquest at ClerkenwelL on the body of a woman who had died from consumption and heart disease.. .Her husband stated that -she became suddenly ill, and he went out at 3.45 a.m. to get a doctor, but made three futile attempts. , One of the doctors said Ins. fee was 3s 6d. Witness produced 3s and said he would pay the 6d at his house, but the doctor refused, to go, tolling the man he had better return home and get the money. This the witness did not do, but he tried to procure another-doctor, and eventually his wife died without medical .attendance. • i'j. •Dr McGregor said the woman might have gone on a little while with medi"cal attendance, but she waS liable to die at any moment, as there was no permanent cure, for the diseases from which she was suffering. . The dead woman's son-in-law, who was crying bitterly, said he did not ! think a doctor should -have refused to ! q;o because ho was offered 6d short" of his fee. The Coroner remarked that the woman's husband did not follow the doctor's suggestion and go home and get the money. There was no obligation on doctors to attend cases; they had to make "thoAv living the same as other people. They, however, did a great deal of work without being paid for it. Ho held no brief for the medical profession, but it was right that these facts should be pointed out. This doctor was not bound to go to the patient any more than any other person. A Juror: lam bound to come here. .(Laughter.) ' . The son-in-law said the doctor referred to was his cfyib doctor, and he (witness) would do his best to "make him lose his job." Dr McGregor, replying to the Coroner, said doctors estimated that 25 per cent, of their work was done for nothing.