COOK HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16113, 18 January 1918, Page 8

COOK HOSPITAL.

ROYAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (press association telegram.) G'ISBORNE, January 12. The Cook Hospital enquiry was continued to-day. Dr. "Walter Reeve, a member of the honorary medical staff, gave evidence that he acted as Superintendent during the Superintendent's holiday. Witness reviewed the causes of unrest at the hospital, which ho attributed to attempts to enforce discipline among the staff after a long term of laxity. Witness was questioned by Mr Myers, counsel for the petitioners, regarding certain allegations against Dr. Bowie, Medical Superintendent at the hospital. Referring to the case of Mrs White, who was operated on in March, Mr Myers asked who performed the operations. Witness: Dr. Bowie and I. Did anything happen in tho first operation that should not have been done?— Yes, tho bladder was opened, when perhaps it was not desirable. Was it an accident? —Yes. One which often happens in highly skilled hands when several operations are necessary?— Yes. Do you remember shortly after tho operation being in charge of the. hospital and something being reported to you?— Yes, a Sister showed mo a swab-which had been removed from the body. The dressing should not have fallen into the bladder. It might have remained in the bladder, but the wound would not heal. It might have appeared, but a third operation might have been necessary. The presence of the dressing was the fault of tho dresser who dressed tb.o wound. 'So tho presence of dressing in the wound was not due to any fault of Dr. Bowie?—Oh, no. Have you heard any statements from Dr. Bowie detrimental to the Matron? —Yes; lie said she was lacking in tact; did not handle tho nurses properly, and on one occasion he referred to her as suffering from delusions. Do you remember when he told you about her?— About a year ago. Have 3?ou discussed her with him since?—No- I do not remember what the details were, but I know there was friction between tho two heads - of tho institution at the time. You have seen the matron over and over again?— Yes. Have you noticed any justification for any statements derogatory to her?— No, certainly not. The Commissioner (Mr H. W. Bishop): What was the impression Dr. Bowie left in your mind when he said she was suffering from delusions?— Ordinarily when that is said we think they are rapidly qualifying for a mental hospital. That was the impression made in my mind. Mr AVauchop: Which, of course, meant that she ;was more or less incapable of conducting her duties? Did you take that meaning from what I)r. Bowie said that she was in such a mental state that she could not carry on her work? —Yes. Was not this what Dr. Bowie said: ' That she was suffering from delusions of persecution by Drs. Collins and Scott, and that he was in league with the nurses?" Is that not what ho conveyed to you ? —He might have said something of that kind. But 1 want you to remember, for it means a great deal to a medical man, and, of course, you want to see fair play to a brother doctor.—He commenced by saying, "I am something of a specialist in mental disease, and 1 have been watching the matron ever since she came to the institution, and she is suffering from delusions." He referred, to delusions of persecution. Was that it? —No. Other witnesses examined were Dr. Kahlenburg and Dr. Wilson, ex-super-lntendents at tho hospital, and G. W. Humphreys, ex-chairman of the Board. The enquiry i s developing slowlv, the principal questions, so far. relating to the resignation, under pressure by the matron, of Nurse Higgins for insubordination, and her subsequent reinstatement and transfer, after inquiry by Departmental officers and Ministers, and the treatment of certain specific cases, including Mrs H hite. at the hospital. The inquiry will be continued tomorrow.