ALLEGED MALTREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 84, 17 April 1885, Page 3

ALLEGED MALTREATMENT.

Smith v. Bond.

{Supreme Court,—ilfctoro His Honor Mr Justice tjillios.) Dp K'.Ohnrdaon. continuinghiaovidonco, said: Ho !u'd several conversations with ii'.\ Bond, and remonstrated with him, tolling him that hid oonduct was unwise, ilu and other mernbors of ilio medical staff held a conference, and complained to tho Ho.spi al Cominittouof JDr. Bond's conduct, without mentioning any special cave. Smith talked of layims a complaint, but ho persuaded him not to do co. At last, liudiiii; he could be of no further benefit to tho patient, he ?aid— "Smith. I have done nil 1 can for 3'ou. and must leave you to do tho beat you can for yourself;" Tho Hospital was freauently very (ul), and occasionally patients lay on tho fluor. He thought it V.-as wronß to put Smith on the floor. Dccatuu ol hia utter helplessness — Dr. Walker deposed that in such circumstances he should placa tho lef? in an extended position, and in splints, that ankylosis might follow, which might bo formed In three months. If tho splints woro removed too soon, contraction would sot in. — Dr John VVilklna deposod that ho had boon in practice as a surgeon for '.'7 years. He wishod it to ba understood by the Court that he was not iden tilied in this oaso. either on one sido or tho other. When inflammation existed in a kneo joint, rcrt was necessary, and more especially when ankyloals was expected. By rest, ho meant the absolute immobility of the joint, which rest < a 1 be seenred in ilillorent ways—either by a long side splints a leather splint, or a suirohed bandaee. Tho leg would bo sore to contract when the knee was inflamed by removing the splints. If proper snlints had been applied tho man's leg would not have been so bad as it is. Ho preferred the long splint; it was incxpenswo and convenient, and answered every purpose.— Lrcoruiana Deiinls. wife of Georgo Demits, hair-dropscr, symonds street, was so indisposed th.it eho was brought into Uourt with tome difficulty. In 1883, she was nnrso in tho Hospital, Wurd No. 2. in which Mr Smith was a Patient. Remembered Dr. Richardson putting the splint on in November; she wan proseut. The splir.t was removed the next day by Dr. Bond. Smith scemod to suffer (jreat pain, but tho pain increased after the removal of thu splint. On another occa-sion tho patient complained that the splint hurt him in the Kroin. and she naddod it according to Dr. Richardson's orders; tho splints were taken oil" by Dr. Bond's orders. At tho cloao of tao evidence, counsel addrcaecd the Court, His Honor said tho question was whether Dr. Bond waa responsible. In His Honor's opinion. Dr. Richardson wa3 the responsible pereun. It Boomed to him that Dr. Bond could not be sued as House Surgeon in connection with thin case. If ho h«d neglected to carry out orders. Dr. Richardson should have seen to that. Dr. Bond was not acting as a modical man ; ho was only in tho position of a subordinate in carrying out tho orders of the mo' ical staff, and tho duties of liousa Surgeon had not boon defined. He thought that thero waa aufliciont ovidonce to warrant him in Bonding the case to tho jury, and it would bo better for Dr. Bond that tho case should go on.—Mr Hesketh then addressed the jury in defence.— Dr. Bonddepo3ed: Hia dutieß were to carry out tho orders of tho medical Btaff, and to act in cases of emergency in the night, or in days betweon their visits. Smith was a patient in 0» ptembor. 1883. when witness entered upon his duties as House Surgeon. Smith was then in a very critical condiiion, and it was doubtful whether ho would livo or not. Dr. Bond gave a description ot tho patient's condition. Ho frequently dressed hia wounds, and ho reeeivort the attention of several nurses. Witnesß and Dr. Richardson had a coutmltatiou about Smith's Ick, and certain treatment was agreed upon. The leg was contracted when it was swung. Bandages were bound round the splint. Dr. Richardson gave no orders when the cradle was used. The wouoda gradually got bettor. He dressed them himself, or saw them dressed. The wire splint waa romoved by Dr. Richardson, in the prosenco of Nurse Young, he saying it was no longer required. Tho patient'B log was cushioned up. He did not take off tho splint as Smith had stated, nor did Dr. Richardson complain to him. At the end of DBcemboraMaclntyroaplint waa provided, andapplied. Ho worothosplintuntiltheondof February, 1881. In April it was determined to put Smith under chloroforni. and straighten his lot! by force. Tho opomtion had Bcarcoly any oireot. Tho visiting ataff, tho lady suporintomlont, and several nuruos woro present. In tho evening of that day tho nurdo of No. 12 ward came to him and sain Smith waa in great pain. Ho gave him morphia to produco sloop. Told Dr. Kicharduou tho next day, and ho replied. '■ You did rightly." He was removed into No. 1 wurd. aa painting was going on. A plapter-of-parlrt splint was applied, and aubaemiently it was cut opon. Tho patiCnt was in the habit of looßening tho bandages, Ho gave no ordera for loosening tbom, but said ho was in great pain. Told him to boar it; pnin was inovitable. Dr. Richardson did not instruct him not io tako olf the splint. Told him to grin and bear it, but not in a harsh way. Was not told that ho bad made a cripple of Smith for lite. Had never disobeyed ordora. Every thing was duly reported. The first notification he had of any complaint waa from tho Committee. He had altered prescrip tiona in cases of emergency- Owing to the cowdcd stato of tho wards, aomeor thopatients were placed on tho floor. Patients had complained that on account of Smith's snoring they c '•uld get no rest. Thoao patients were aeriously ill at tho time. A patient named Johnson could got no Bleep, and on the suggestion of Mies Crisp timith waa removed to the convalescent room. Tliis wan the sole reason for hia romoval. Smith had an excellent appetite, and always ato more than hia allowance. He heard Dr. Kichardaon say that he (Dr. Bond) turned away and refused to answer him. This was untrue.—Annio Alico Crisp. Lady superintendent, gave evidence ai to Smith's treatment. She may havo altered t><e bandage herself. Should not have compl lined of his saintly loosening thebandaee. - lane Young, residing in Eobsou-strcot, who wpp h»arl nureu in Smith's ward when she was brought in to the Hospital, said sho had irnioved tne oplmt by order ot Dr", Bond and Ricnardaon. t was ieaioved for the purpose of aftjrdihg tho patient somo rest. Before thecraole was taken offeho told him that, be would have a crooked lee. The wire splint waa removed by order of the dootcrs. Neverheprd any complaint, during her time, of Dr. Bond'd treatment.-Kejiah Long deposed that she entered the Hospital as| nurte n December, 1883, Smith was thon h patient, goirg about on crutohc. ™erewas complained that the bandages were too tigM ooScalf^vi l 2& Dr. Bo^i s^'irSd»wiSi