A DENTISTS CLIENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 101, 27 April 1912, Page 17

A DENTISTS CLIENT.

THE TERRIBLE EFFECTS~OW "LAUGHING GAS." Strange (letters and post-cards were the subject of a libel and slander action brought by a dental surgeon against a lady patient and her husband in the King's Bench Division of the London Courts, on Monday, March 11. Mr Frederick Rudotyh Moser, living at Loughton, Essex, was the plaintiff, and Mr George and Mrs Annie Smith, of Balmar Road, Cambcrwell, were the defendants. Mr Shearman, X.C.. for the plaintiff, said until May last Mr Moser practised in Keßnington Park Road, London, and there the female defendant called ou him to nave her teeth attended to. Mr Moser had to administer gas to her ou three or four occasions. He was treating her for some considerable time, and on one occasion, to .his great astonishment, she professed her devotion for him. This was a common experience of medical men with persons who had "laughing gas," and. although the •plaintiff did not treat the matter seriously, he told Mrs .Smith to '"poll herself together." When she came to herself she expressed great regret and apologised. A.N EXTRAORDINARY LETTER. Subsequently Mr Moser received certain letters, in one of which, dated May 11 and signed "A. Smith," the writer said: — "I can see why you kissed and cuddled mc now. You know I had good cause to be annoyed over my extractions, and that is why you went out of the way to be pleasant with mc. You are billing and cooing out there in your rural Arcadia, but when you ignore mc you take the high road to destruction.

"Life is not all beer and skittles and cherry blossom. You have made mine unutterably bleak and sad ... I have suffered through two meu now. but I am not going to suffer through you. I am going to destroy you socially and professionally. Whethet I win the . day or not matters not to mc ... I can do some deadly work even if I fail, and every word I utter shall be absolutely true.

"Do what you think best, but I have done making overtures to you. and I am not a feeble woman, but one with the pluck of a British liou (laughter). . . . Nothing underhand about -mc."

The plaintiffs solicitor, said counsel, made inquiries as to whether the lady was mad, as there was some suggestion of blackmail, and also inquiries whether the husband knew. After this libels were published in post-cards regarding the plaintiff, some of which were written by 'Mr Smith.

THE JUDGES WARNING. The male defendant denied that his wife wrote the letter with his knowledge and consent, aud said he did not speak the alleged slander. Alternatively it was pleaded that the words were true In substance and in fact.

The Judge drew tbe attention of the defendants to a letter which they were alleged to have signed, withdrawing their statements and apologising.

Mr Smith said they wished to go on with the case.

The Judge warned the defendants that If the jury found against them heavy damages might be awarded, aud they would go on with the case at their peril.

Mrs Smith: We- sold all onrbfurniture. which we have been getting together since we were married, to defend this case, and tbe solicitors did not tell us they were not going to defend it.

The Judge: I cannot allow you to make a speech, madam: sit down. HIS AFFINITY.

Mr Moses said on one occasion at bis surgery Mrs Smith suddenly declared that she was his affinity. CLangbter.) She said be was the only man in tbe world she had ever loved. (Laughter. I Up did not consider her accountable fox her actions.

Mrs Smith: When l came round after the anaesthetic did you not say. "Ob. my poor girl. I am so sorry. It is all right so long as I didn't hurt you?"—I never said any- I thing of the sort. | Did you say once that you loved a girl j and that you were not allowed to marry j her because your people would not agree V - | I said no such thing. And 1 said. "Do you love yonr wife?" and you replied, "Love Is not necessary for domestic happiness V — No, I did not. The Judge: Mrs Smith, unless there is , some reasons for these questions you are i doing a very unfair thing In taking advantage of this occasion in saying anything , about tbe relations between these people. . I wish you clearly to understand that you i must not abuse the occasion. I solemnly i warn you that these Courts are not to be . used for the purpose of venting your feel- |

Mrs Smith: Is it human to expect mc to spare the feelings of Mr Moser? The Judge: I am not asking you to spare his feelings, aud I have seen no indication on your part of doing 60. Dr Charles Adolphus Sampson, of Camberwell Green, who was present on three occasions when gas was administered to Mrs Smith, said persons recovering from an anaesthetic often showed some form of excitement. Mrs Smith showed a very marked hallucinatory condition. She (screamed out. "Don't let him touch mc." and extended both her arms as though she were trying to prevent anyone going near her. VERDICT. After other evidence had been called, the jury found for the plaintiff, awarding him cfino damages. The jury said they were unanimously of opinion that the charges against the plaintiff were gross fabrications from beginning to end. Mr Justice Horridge stated the jury were quite right. This sort of thing must be stopped. life would not bo bearable If people did things they bad done in this case. lie was going to grant an injunction to prevent defendants from ever repeating the statements, 'and if they broke that they would be imprisoned.