DOCTOR AND PATIENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 194, 16 August 1911, Page 8

DOCTOR AND PATIENT.

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. JURY AWARDS £IS9 10/. The action in which Alice Beatrice Shortland and Frederick William Shortland, of Taumarunui, sued Dr. Stanley Arthur Bull, of Auckland, for the sum of £."> OS 10, as special and general damages for alleged negligent and unskilful treatment, was continued before Mr. Justice Edwards and a common jury of twelve at the Auckland Supreme Court vesterday afternoon. Mr. Moss appearing for plaintiffs, and Mc-srs. McYeagh and Singer for defendant. Counsel addressed the jury on th« evidence presented. Mr. U-»Yeaph emphasised the fact that Dr. Bull, in tit operation he performed on Mrs. Shortland, did not use the class of gaii7e subsequently found by Dr. Douglas in th» wound, and he aI~o denounced the claim for damages made as inflamed and excessive. Mr. Moss drew attention to the circumstance that the sinus refused to heal from the time of Dr. Bull's operation till the small bit of gauze was removed fifteen months later, and suggested that the witnesses could not remember two years after what kind of gauze was used. In the course of Bumming up hii Honor reverted to the question of medical etiquette, and the refusal of Dr. Douglas to supply full information to plaintiffs' counsel when application was made, and emphasised the point that medical etiquette should not prejudice the rights of patients, nor should etiquette govern the natural rights of the people to receive from doctors, lawyers or anvnne else with whom thev had confidential relations a full and clear statement of the case, whatever it was. After a two hours' retiremem jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for "'•he sum of £ISO 10/. including £SO genera! damages to Mrs. Shortland, and £139 10/ to Mr. Shortland as special damages for moneys incurred. Costs were allowed according to scale, and two days' counsel's fees were certified to.