The Medical Practitioners' Act.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 183, 6 August 1886, Page 3

The Medical Practitioners' Act.

Ar the Police Court this morning, before Mr C. D, Whitcombe, J.P., Samuel Hood was charged with having committed a breach of the above Act by treating a man named William Richards for tho disease known as cancer, and representing himself to be a medical practitioner. Mr Cave, who appeared for the defendant, stated that with the consent of Mr Cooper, who appeared for the prosecution, he would ask that the case might be adjourned until .next Friday. He thought that if the Bench would grant tho application there was •every possibility that the oase would be withdrawn. He might state that Mr Hood was an aged'gentleman who had been long resident in the colony, principally at the Bay of Islands. He had made a life study •of medicine, but had not taken his degree ss apiactitioner. He was ot one timo resi•dentmodical officer amongEt the natives, and could havo become enrolled as a practitioner, had he wished, under the Act of 1858. Unfortunately, .he had neglected to do so at the time. He had now been for many years in Sydney, and only returned for the purpose of selling some land at the Bay of Islands. As Mr Hood had been celebrated for his skill in treating cancers, he had been solicited to deal with several cases, and it was in consequence of this that the action had beon taken. As he contemplated returning to Sydney, which would secure the object aimed at by the Medical Practitioners' Society, there was every possibility that tho caso would not be proceeded with, in consideration for Mr Hood's advanced age. There would be a meeting of tbe Society bofcro Friday, when Borne dofinito ..ction would bo decided upon. Under the circumstances, tho Bonch granted the remand.