DOCTORS’ CHARGES.

Evening Star, Issue 7431, 28 January 1888, Page 4

DOCTORS’ CHARGES.

TO THE KPITOU. g ra , _ Piom the evidence given in tire Supreme Court recently by the doctors as to their charges, it is time a public doctor was appointed who would give advice and medicine at a reasonable charge. The City Corporation might take the matter up and provide a qualified man, or perhaps two—one to attend patients at a distance at so much per mile. How many poor families lose their breadwinner because he is afraid to consult a doctor in time, and cannot go to the hospital waiting time in waiting ? The Government appoint a Public Trustee, why not appoint a public doctor to save life ? Many a family is ruined after the death of the father by a charge of L7O, or driven into bankruptcy ns in Porter’s case. It is a cruel monopoly to charge 10s to lance a baby’s gums. Then, it the child is too ill to be taken to die hospital, quite a wrong medicine is often given, and the child dies, A doctor set up in Christchurch at 2s Gd for advice and medicine. He had hundreds of patients, and has now a splendid practice makes L 3.000 a year, they say. So many persons come hero to try the change of climate for their complaints that it would cost nothing to the Government, ami he a great boon to many poor striving families. —I am, etc., 1 A Fatheh, Dunedin, January 27.