FAME FOR DOCTOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 77, 11 January 1928, Page 6

FAME FOR DOCTOR.

AN IMPROMPTU OPERATION. MAORI SETTLEMENT IMPRESSED. (Per Press Association. 1 ) AUCKLAND, January 10. An Auckland doctor who was cruising in a yacht in the far north during the holidays performed an impromptu operation "on a native who was suffering from a blood-poisoned arm, and the Maori is now thankful that adaptability to circumstances is one of the essential qualifications of the medical profession. The boat was anchored peacefully m a little bay, when a member of a party from another yacht, on going ashore to borrow a net discovered the suffering Maori and called in the medical man. Implements of various kinds were gathered, and when the little setalenient had quietened down after the evening mead the doctor operated. The Maori was highly disturbed by the formidable display of instruments, and beads of perspiration appeared on his brow as a half-moon incision was made in the injured arm. "Hold him, he's going off," said the doctor as the patient swooned. The assistant doctor, who was holding an electric torch, grasped the fainting native by the hair and held him till lint was applied, and after five tablets were swallowed by the frightened man, Nature was left to finish the job. In the morning the patient was quite chirpy and well. As soon as the news of the feat had spread the halt and lame of ihe village turned up in force. A hushfeller suffered much pain from a nasty axe wound, and toes and fingers in different stages of damage were freely exhibited. So struck was one native by the chance that had overcome her relative that she pleaded for an incision in her toe which, she said, was suffering great agony. She was quietly informed that too much "waipiro" and too many oyster patties were the fundamental cause of her ailment, and it was with a had grace that she submitted to treatment with a bottle ot iodine and a brush for gout.