Evening Post. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1885. THE INSPECTION OF HOSPITALS.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 57, 4 September 1885, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1885. THE INSPECTION OF HOSPITALS.

We have no intention of in any way commenting on a case which is subjudice, but the evidence given by Dr. Gbabhah, Inspector of Hospitals, before the Boyal Commission yesterday is apparently so entirely irreconcilable with his report of 9th February last on the Wellington Hospital, as laid before Parliament, that we feel bound to draw attention to the matter, as it is one which is of more than local importance. In his evidence yesterday, the Inspector said that "he observed when Dr. Chilton returned from a holiday in January last that he was suffering from drink. He cautioned the doctor, and told him that if he did not mend his , ways he would not only lose the Hob- ' pital, but - would soon go next door, meaning the Asylum. He was suffering then from chronic alcoholism." On the 9th of February the Inspector, reporting on the Wellington Hospital, wrote : — " Dr. Chilton is at present the Resident Medical Superintendent, and I have formed a high opinion of his abilities in this capacity." It is of course quite possible that Dr. Gbabham was entirely mistaken in his diagnosis of Dr. Chu/ton'b condition in January. That, however, does not affect what we wish to point out. Dr. Grabhax, whether correctly or not, undoubtedly believed that I Dr. Chilton was suffering from chronic alcoholism, and behaving in such a manner that if he did not alter he would not only lose the Hospital, but have to be sent to the Asylum. Yet, knowing all this, he reported having formed a high opinion of Dr. Ciulton's abilities as Resident Surgeon. Does Dr. Gbabhax consider that chronic alcoholism tending towards tho production of lunacy, is consistent with ability to discharge satisfactorily the duties of Resident Surgeon of a largo Hospital? It would really appear so. Dr. Grabham said he knew nothing more, personally, of Dr. Chilton'b irregularities than this episode in January, and believed that he had improved since, yet further on he stated that it was not safe to retain Dr. Chjclton in the position for which, his abilities so specially qualified him. This opinion Dr. Gbabba# says he communicated to the Colonial Secretary, but we do not gather from the evidence when this communication was made. We suppose it was after the date of the report expressing the high opinion, &c. Was it, we wonder, before that report was laid before Parliament? It would be interesting to know why, without any further knowledge of irregularities, believing indeed that an improvement had taken place, the Inspector's opinion became so completely changed. The whole facts of the oase tend to throw very considerable doubts on the general value of the Inspector's reports on the Hospitals, and to create a general

feeling of distrust regarding the system of inspection and management of these institutions throughout the colony. It appears extraordinary that the Inspector, knowing what ho has deposed he did know in January, should have written as he did write officially in February. Are there any more Hospital or Asylum officials throughout the colony suffering from chronic alcoholism or kindred failings, of whose abilities Dr. Geabhah has formed a very high opinion P It would be interesting to know definitely whether the Inspector does or does not consider such a condition a serious disqualification for an officer entrusted with the care of sick people, and on whose attention, skill, and judgment the lives of scores of patients may depend. Altogether Dr. Geabham's evidence yesterday, read with his report of February last, must create an uneasy feeling in the public mind, and this without reference to the absolute correctness or otherwise of the opinion formed regarding Dr. Chilton's condition. Believing what he did on that point, the Inspector was certainly not justified in making the report he did, and laying it before Parliament. That report was decidedly calculated to mislead people regarding the condition of the Wellington Hospital. Had Dr. Gbabham reported officially to the Government in February last what he had observed in January, the probability is that there would have been no occasion for the present Royal Commission.