A DOCTOR'S EVIDENCE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11356, 20 August 1902, Page 7

A DOCTOR'S EVIDENCE.

mSUFFICIENT MEDICAL SUPPLES.

Dr. Gillies, one of the medical men aboard, in his evidence said the principal medical officer was only appointed on the night the vessel sailed from Durban. No- | body had any authority to do anything. Witness found a bare supply of medScme. The hospital accommodation was poor. He pointed this out to the medical authorities at Durban, and requisitioned for more. They replied that the men were all healthy, and would not require more. Witness had no instructions and no power to enforce his demands. He refused to allow several men suffering from measles, who were passed by the embarking' officer, to go aboard. He believed the infection of measles and influenza was amongst the troops before they embarked. He endorsed the opinion that the uncleanly habits of the man increased the sickness- The walls and floors of the hospitals were plastered with expectoration. The want of systematic exercise and the laxity of discipline contributed to the sickness.. The number of doctors on board was sufficient, but they could have done more with a better supply of medicines, and some lives would have been saved if the sick had "been allowed to land at Albany. He admitted that there were strained relations between the Chief Medical Officer and another of the three doctors aboard.