A DOCTOR'S SURGERY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 63, 17 March 1925, Page 7

A DOCTOR'S SURGERY

"NO CURES GUARANTEED"

EVIDENCE IN THE DUNDAS MACKENZIE CASE.

(BT TBtBORAPH.—PRISS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 16th March.

The sixth day of the hearing of the application by the Medical Board to have the name of Henry Dundas Mackenzie struck off tiie roll of medical practitioners was reached to-day. Dr. Mackenzie, who,began his evidence on Thursday, was under further cross-ex-amination by Mr. Meredith. In reply to a question, Mackenzie said that he had a notice in his surgery, "No Cures Guaranteed." He thought it was put up in July, 1922, under instructions from San Francisco, owing to the "possibility of actions at law. This was due to the methods of the American Medical Association; Witness remembered- receiving the blood samples from Dr. Todd and Mr. "F." He had tested the blood he received through the post on two or thtee occasions. Witness remembered the first occasion on which Mr. "F" sent him some. He threw it in the wastapaper basket, following on the instructions of his solicitor. He was afraid it might be a trap. Witness would not trust the blood, so/he tested the handwriting. The same results could be obtained from the handwriting as from the blood, and they would have been the came had the blood been genuine. The diagnosis was made on the handwriting, and the reply, written by witness's,clerk, was sent. Witness did not know about the mistake in the sex. He knew his letter was sent to "Mrs. F." There was no question of testing for sex. That test could be made on the machine. As far as witness knew, the mistake with the address was the clerk's. Dr. Pettit had made the same diagnosis on the letter. Witness did not know where to find the letter. In the test made there were just over seven ohms of cai'cinosis. Five to eight was a dangerous, condition. In this, case witness g6t seven from "F." It should be understood that seven from "F" was different from five from "S." ;

The whole value of the treatment was altered during the last year. Witness thought it would be difficult to find a book showing the danger zone as having been altered trom between five and eight. The delicacy of tests had been? altered, but not the danger zone. What was looked on as 5.2 would probably be looked on as seven or eight to-day. The danger zone vas different for individuals. It was just the same as a man drinking whisky. One drink would affect one man, while ten might not affect another. It was a question of resistance. A letter sent by witness was meant to indicate that the sooner the patient came for treatment the less he would require. Mr. Meredith: ".Wasn't it a direct attempt to frighten this man into coming to you hotfoot?"

Mackenzie: "No. The third sample of blood from 'F' was put in the wastepaper basket." In, the same way he had five opportunities of checking the first diagnosis, and' did nob take advantage of one of them. Witness did not think it made any difference whether he told "F" that he was not testing blood. His Honour sa jd he Wanted the position, cleared up. stated in reply to hia.Hon-, our's questions "that he tested "F.V" first,sample of handwriting. Three let-; ters >yere received-from "F," a sample of blood being, enclosed in each. His\Hanour: "Dr. Maekenzißj if I, as a medical man,, were to tell, you that your;condition was such that ydu Wight be in Waikumete within a week would that be likely to please or displease you?" ..."-. . " | Witness: "In the present conditions 1 don't know whether it would please me or not, your. Honour. It would only make me set niy house in orderj Sir, that is all." (Laughter.) His Honour: "I see, then, that life is not worth much!"

Witness: "At-the best, this life, is short and passing. One can only do his best." (Laughter.) His Honour:, "Humph! You seem to b» content, anyway. ... In the laßt letter from; 'F,' dated 14th [December, 1923, that gentleman asked: 'Does the blood test indicate any Improvement?' and he was referring to the blood 6am. pie sent with that letter?" Witness: "Yes." Proceeding, his Honour said that in his answer- Mackenzie stated that "by continuing your present line of action the time is fast approaching when the treatment will be useless. You are steadily becoming worse, and medicine will not help you." His Honour (to Mackenzie): ."What possible justification did you have for making that statement when you had tseted only one sample of the handwriting?" ■ :

Witness: "The condition from that test was progressive and was dangerously, progressive."

His Honour: "How did you know it >iad progressed? Look here, Dr.' Mackenzie, this man sent you a. sample for testing, and he sent you' letters, and to his third letter you tell him that he is Steadily becoming worse. What did you base it on?"

Witness: "On the clinical history of hundreds of cases."

Dundas Mackenzie's evidence concluded late this afternoon, and two of his patients then gave evidence regarding the benefits received from his treatment.

The case was adjourned till to-mor-row. '