ST. HELENS HOME

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1913, Page 11

ST. HELENS HOME

' » — ENQUIRY AT AUCKLAND. ' HAD PROPER RECORDS BEEN KEPT. (BT TELKGRAFB— • PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ' • ■ AUCKLAND, 24th January. The enquiry into the administration of St. Helens Maternity Home was continued to-day, the Commissioner (Mr. C. C. Kettle,' S.M.)', presiding. The cross-examination, of Dr. Tracy Inglis, medical officer of St. Helens, regarding the treatment of Mrs. Chamberlain in the home before her death, was continued by Mr. Skelton. Dr. Inglis said that he made the first careful examination of Mrs. • Chamberlain on 13th August. Mr. Skelton : How often did you make a . very careful ' examination of the patient ? • WitnessS I made the necessary careful examination every time I saw her. Mr. Skelton : .When did you first mention to the matron that you suspected Septicaemia? Witness: I do not know. I discussed the case so often that I cannot possibly fix a date. Mr. Skelton was "proceeding to put a further question when witness skid he did not khow what counsel was talking about. . The Commissioner : But* I do, doctor. If there had been a day book kept in the home with proper records Mr.' Skelton would have had the .information Ke requires. He is simply trying to get at what treatment you" ordered Mrs. • Chamberlain when you sUspected . septicaemia. There is no need ,to be irritable about it. You have simply to' answer his questions. Witness : I cannot say definitely when I started special treatment for septicaemia. I treated Mrs. Chamberlain for bronchial pneumonia up to the end of August, and considered her high temperature due to this, and not to septic changes'. QUESTION OF CONSULTATIONS. Mr. Skelton : Are you not pledged by the rules of the British Medical Association not to consult with other medical men who are not members? Witness :' No, certainly not. Mr. t Skelton : Supposing that urgent necessity, arose requiring consultation, say with Dr. Brockway, would you not have to get the consent of the committee of the association first? Witness : No. To the Commissioner : . A few years ago there was a dispute between certain friendly societies in Auckland anS the association,* the result being that the societies imported a number of medical officers. • We as an association ' refused by resolution to consult with them or meet them . professionally except in' emergencies. Witness's opinion was 1 that . this , rule did not affect public, practitioners. Mr. Skelton : Dr. Brockway is under the ban of the association f ■ Witness : Yes, because he Was imported from America by the societies. The Commissioner : Was a written record of Dr.' Cross's bacteriological tests obtained for the home? Witness : No. Her report was given over the 'phone. The Commissioner : Why wasn't it written down ? Surely it would have been better. Witness : Yes, for the enquiry. ' ThejCommjbJswner-rilb'a rrofc Wlwiattter •of enquiries j" ->it's ' a matter >of medical, officers keeping proper records in public institutions. • , ■ , • Mi*. Skelton : Is it not a fact that because Mr. Chamberlain was 4o persist* «it t m.hiB wife's welfare ydu were forced to take some action and have the blood .test taken ? ' Witness : Certainly not. • J To the Commissioner : Dr.' Frost's test Was not of great Value. The • Commissioner : Then ' why did you have it .taken ? Witness : Because I had suspected ■septicaemia, and wanted her to confirm A DOCUMENT PRODUCED. Mr. Skelton produced the doctor's notification to the Health Department of Mrs. Chamberlain's condition, which was dated 28th August, and that of another patient, dated 9th September ; both of which had reached the department on the same day. The witness said that he had no know-* ledge of the former document being delayed in its transmission, but he watl absolutely positive that he had not written both' notifications on the same day. •He had als6 given a resume of the case over the telephone to' Dr. M'Gill. ' The ' Commissioner : Were you ever called upon by any officer of the department or Minister, or any other person, to report on the case of Mrs. Chamberlaih either during her illness or after her death? Witness : I was asked to" see Dr. M'Gill at the Health Office. The Commissioner : ■ Can you produce any written communication' of ariy kind between yourself and the department relating to* Mrs. Chamberlain's illness and death? " "* Witness : I don't think so. v The Commissioner : In such case one would think the first thing asked for would be a report from , the medical officer or matron. Mr. Mays : We shall show everything that passed. It is a little premature just at present. Mr. Skelton here produced Dr. Valintine's report for the Minister on the case. Dr. Inglis, perusing the. report, said that though agreeing in substance, his opinion differed slightly in places from that of Dr. Valintme. In answer to Mrs. Nicol, he said that he considered one nurse quite sufficient to attend to Mrs. Chamberlain, even in the closing stages. With regard to the' room she had occupied, he had given orders to have it thoroughly fumigated, and disinfected, a-nd this had' been done. Owing to the need for this being done quickly, there had not been time to get the health inspector to superintend the work. Mrs. Nicol here remarked on the laxness of the Health Department in attending to such cases, and • concluded : "They are an absolute disgrace. You couldn't shift them with a charge of dynamite." The enquiry was then adjourned.