VARICOSE VEINS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1942, Page 3

VARICOSE VEINS

QUESTION OF TREATMENT

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday

Charges of refusing to undergo remedial treatment to fit them for service in the armed forces were preferred against four reservists before Mr. E. C. Lewey, S.M. The accused were Frederick Gearschowski, Wallace Peter Ireland, Alan Robert McKenzie and George Edward Rumble.

Ireland pleaded not guilty and the charge against him was adjourned. Gearschowski pleaded guilty and after saying he was now prepared to have the necessarv operation was convicted and remanded. McKenzie pleaded not guilty, but after hearing the evidence he said he would report to a specialist at the Christchurch Public Hospital and his case was adjourned.

Rumble pleaded not guilty. He refused varicose veins treatment and was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.

Dr. L. B. Stringer said he examined McKenzie and, in his opinion, his only disability, apart from complaints of back ache, was varicose veins.

Counsel: Is it true that the treatment of varicose veins is a matter of some divergence of opinion in the medical profession? Dr. Stringer: Yes, that may be so, but I understand that before the treatment is given, a]] cases are examined by a specialist at the Christchurch Public Hospital. Dr. Stringer said there were undoubtedly a number of failures and he had heard of patients dying because of the operation.